Even humans change their behavior as the weather changes, so it should come as no surprise that winter forces many pests to adapt. However, not every pest has the same techniques for surviving winter or protecting its offspring. Learn more about how different pests that are common to North Carolina spend the winter.
It is true that some pests die off during the winter. For example, most male mosquitoes will succumb to cold temperatures. Meanwhile, females will go into something known as diapause, which essentially suspends their development. They will store up as much fat as possible and find a safe place, such as a storm drain, to wait for warmer temperatures. Once spring arrives, they will ramp up the reproduction process to increase the mosquito population.
Many pests look for easy sources of food, water, and shelter while also reducing their activity levels. While most cockroaches will die in temperatures below 15 degrees, they get around this problem by heading into your home. The good news is that they won’t be reproducing as quickly, but you will want to take action before they start multiplying in the spring.
Bees and ants have the benefit of living in a colony so they can work with others to survive winter. They work throughout the year to build up food supplies in their nest. Once winter hits, they can live off the surplus and use the body heat generated by the nest or hive to stay warm.
For some insects, migration is the answer. Monarch butterflies head south to warmer climates and other crop pests display similar behavior.
While different species of pests have developed their own way of surviving the winter, it is important to remember that just because pests aren’t as visible and have reduced their activity, doesn’t mean that they aren’t around. Keep in mind that these pests are simply waiting to come back full force in the spring, making winter an important time to plan for pest control.
If you have any additional questions about pests and how to protect your home, contact the experts at PMi Pest Management.
