The Pests Most Likely to Invade Your Home This Winter—and How to Stop Them

Every year, when the temperature drops, many insects and critters go looking for a place to make their own over the cold months. In this way, they are like us—but while the instinct to protect your neighborhood animals might be tempting, the damage they can exact on your home is reason enough to keep them away. 

“What often surprises people is just how small a hole a pest needs to make its way inside,” says board-certified entomologist Dr. Jim Fredericks. “Mice can squeeze through gaps the size of a dime, and insects can take advantage of drafty window frames, torn screens, or gaps around pipes and wires coming into your house.” 

Read on to find out which pests in particular are the most likely to come seeking shelter and how pest control experts discourage them from entering.

Common Wintertime Pests

Come winter, pests seek protection from the elements and food for sustenance. Your home could be the perfect dwelling for them throughout the winter, if they are able to get in.

The following are the most common pests to target your home in the wintertime.

Mice and Rats

“Mice and rats are notorious winter invaders,” says leading entomologist Trent Frazer. “These pests can squeeze through tiny gaps and are often drawn to attics, basements, and kitchen areas.” Mice and rats tend to gnaw on wires and wood, causing structural damage and even house fires. Additionally, they pose significant health risks to you and your family by spreading diseases and contaminating food sources, notes Frazer. 

Spiders

Spiders also seek warmth and shelter during the winter. “While most house spiders are harmless, other poisonous types of spiders can just as easily make your house their new home,” says Frazer. Make sure you learn how to identify spiders like brown recluses, black widows, and hobo spiders, as these varieties can live inside and do pose a threat to adults, children, and pets.

Termites and Carpenter Ants

“These home invaders are attracted by food and will find entry into homes through even the tiniest cracks,” says pest control expert Scot Hodges. These insects can cause extensive structural damage if the wood is moist and aging, Joel Ward, operations manager at The Bugman Pest Control, warns.

Cockroaches

“Because cockroaches can’t survive in colder weather, these bugs will infiltrate homes looking for warm, damp spots to overwinter,” says Hodges. “Once they find their way in, they can bring a host of problems.”

Beware of these pests, as they can contaminate food items that could cause Salmonella or E. Coli-related food poisoning upon consumption. Cockroaches can also trigger allergies, and prolonged exposure to an infestation can cause health damage to young children, says Hodges.

Stink Bugs

“While stink bugs don’t pose significant health risks, they are a nuisance,” says Fredericks. “They like to gather in large numbers when they’re looking for a warm place to overwinter, such as the sunny side of your home.” They emit an unpleasant odor when crushed or disturbed.

Silverfish

According to Hodges, silverfish tend to invade your home in winter due to their love of damp, cold places. He cautions that female silverfish can lay up to 1,000 eggs—and once they grow in large numbers, they are likely to damage books, wallpaper, insulation, and even clothing.

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Your Winter Pest Prevention Checklist

To keep pests away throughout the winter months, follow this expert-approved checklist.

Inspect Regularly

• Do a detailed inspection of your house, especially if it is an older home, and look for signs of cracking foundation, rotting wood, holes in the siding, and gaps around exterior pipes and electrical outlets, advises Ward.
• Throughout the winter, regularly check attics, basements, and storage areas for any cracks or signs of pest activity.
  

Seal Entry Points

• Seal all holes and cracks along the foundation and any openings around exterior doors and windows. Block any potential entry points around pipes and utility lines.
• Keep rodents out by stuffing steel wool into any gaps and sealing it with spray foam, or staple mesh for larger holes
• Place screens over vents and chimneys to prevent rodents and insects from finding their way inside.
  

Cleaning and Maintenance Tasks

• Vacuum and sweep often around the home, being on the lookout for spider webs and egg sacs
• Use a thick plastic or metal garbage can with a tight lid, and always keep it sealed, says Hodges.
• Clean up spills immediately and store holiday goodies in airtight containers.
• Silverfish are drawn to moisture, so reducing humidity levels by using a dehumidifier can make your home less appealing to them, according to Frazer.
• Keep basements and crawl spaces well-ventilated.
  

Outdoor Care

• Store firewood off the ground (at least 20 feet away from the home), and inspect each piece before bringing it inside.
• Similarly, inspect and shake Christmas trees, wreaths, and other live greenery thoroughly before bringing them into your home.
• Keeping outside cooking areas and grills clean will help deter rats and spiders.
• Keep bird feeders away from the house and use squirrel guards to limit access to the feeder.
• Additionally, if you keep bird seed in your garage, make sure to store it in a sturdy, tightly sealed metal container. (Plastic bags and even plastic containers invite rodents to chew right through.)
  

Food Storage Essentials

• To prevent ants, make sure all food sources are sealed, and floors and counters are crumb-free.
• When grocery shopping, inspect goods carefully and only purchase sealed packages that show no sign of damage, says Hodges.
• Do not leave pet food or water bowls out overnight.

When to Call a Pest Control Professional

“If you already have an infestation, it’s best to call a pest control company,” says Ward. For mice, he recommends looking for evidence like chew marks on wooden furniture, holes in upholstery, and black, rice-sized droppings along the walls. For wood-burrowing insects like ants and termites, look for sawdust piles (called frass), he says. 

According to Fredericks, rodents, cockroaches, and spiders are very good at hiding, and trying to control an infestation yourself can prolong or worsen the problem. Calling in an expert is typically always recommended when you sense or see any signs of an infestation, so that they can identify the entry points, assess the scope of the problem, and work with you towards finding a long-term solution.