As temperatures drop and the cold months roll in, many pests begin looking for a warm place to survive, and unfortunately, your home might be exactly what they're after. You're not imagining it: bugs really do come inside when it's cold. While winter often feels like a break from insects and other pests, the truth is that many pests don't go away; they simply seek shelter indoors.
If you want to prevent pests from turning your house into a winter hideout, it's important to understand what drives them inside, which species to watch out for, and the preventative measures you can take to keep your home bug-free.
Why Pests Come Indoors in the Winter
When temperatures drop, most insects can't survive the cold without shelter. Insects like cockroaches, ants, stink bugs, and spiders are cold-blooded, so they rely on outside warmth to stay active. As the environment shifts, they begin searching for:
Heat (your warm house)
Moisture (leaky faucets, damp crawl spaces)
Food sources (crumbs, open containers, pantry items)
Combine that with easy entry points like gaps in weather stripping, unsealed windows and doors, or cracks in your home's foundation, and suddenly your house becomes prime winter real estate for unwanted guests.
Common Winter Pests to Watch Out For
Even though you might not see many insects flying around in the cold, don't let your guard down. Some of the most persistent winter bugs include:
Stink bugs & box elders - These little bugs often hide behind walls and windowsills, emerging on warmer days.
Cockroaches - Thrive in low temperatures indoors and are drawn to excess moisture and food.
Bed bugs - These nuisance bedbugs don't need cold weather as motivation—they're active year-round and hard to detect.
Ants - While some species go dormant, many ants stay active indoors, especially near heat sources and food.
Rodents - Mice and rats aren't insects, but they're a huge part of cold-weather pest issues, often nesting in crawl spaces and attics.
Cluster flies & snow fleas - These lesser-known winter bugs may show up in attics, windows, or around leaf piles and wood piles.
Spiders - These other pests tend to follow food sources (aka, other bugs) indoors as well.
Even the black-legged tick, often associated with spring and summer, can survive in leaf litter or soil near homes during colder temperatures.
How to Keep Winter Pests Out
The best way to get rid of bugs in winter is to stop them before they ever come inside. Here are a few simple but effective tips to prevent pests during the winter months:
Seal cracks around doors, windows, and your home's foundation.
Replace worn-out weather stripping and door sweeps.
Keep food stored in airtight containers.
Eliminate excess moisture by fixing leaks, using dehumidifiers, and insulating cold crawl spaces.
Clean up leaf piles, remove tree limbs touching your roof, and move wood piles away from the house.
Vacuum regularly, especially in hidden or low-traffic areas where adult insects may lay eggs.
Schedule a professional pest control service for an inspection before winter pests settle in.
When to Call in the Pros
If you're already seeing signs of pests or want to stay ahead of an infestation, don't wait. Winter pest issues can go unnoticed for weeks, especially when bugs hide behind walls or under flooring. A licensed pest control professional can identify problem areas, treat hidden infestations, and create a plan to protect your home all season long.
At RIDD, our team specializes in helping homeowners prevent pests year-round with expert inspections, safe treatments, and honest advice. If you're ready to stop sharing your space with bugs this winter, we're here to help.
Stay Protected This Winter
Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean pests are gone. In fact, most insects are just finding new ways to survive the winter, and your home might be their next stop.
Don't let winter pests catch you off guard. Schedule a pest control service with RIDD today and keep your home protected from unwanted guests even when the temperatures drop.
