THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING VIGILANT YEAR-ROUND

Contrary to popular belief, insects don't just die off in the winter. After all, they've had centuries of time to evolve and adapt to changing climates. Many insects are able to survive colder winter weather through a process called diapause. Likened to hibernation common among some mammals like bears, insects look for protection from the cold when they prepare for diapause. This can mean coming indoors and finding shelter between walls, under flooring, and in the many cracks and crevices offered by most building structures.

When the temperature gets cold (around 15 degrees Fahrenheit), insects like the American Cockroach have difficulty surviving. However, they can hibernate easily… in the right spots… like inside your home.

Termites continue to stay active even during winter. Termites are very hardy, and are capable of continuing their destructive work year-round. However, when the weather drops below freezing, they do need to hibernate to survive.

Earwigs, which are narrow and flat in shape and come in a variety of colors ranging from yellow to dark brown, find shelter under walkway tiling or bricks, in mulch piles, and inside when possible. They tend to prefer darker damp areas including basements, bathrooms, garages and kitchens.

Spiders love to find warmer places to survive which can include your home sweet home. Spider eggs die if they become frozen, so many different kinds of spiders lay eggs in the fall so the babies have time to mature enough to survive during the winter. (Did you know: spiders actually produce a chemical that scientists liken to anti-freeze. This helps prepare their bodies to live through cooler temperatures.)

A pest that’s even more capable of winter survival? The notorious Bed Bug. As they are indoor pests, the season does not bother them. Even during transmission from place to place, the weather is not much of a factor as, similar to spiders, they emit a bodily chemical that lowers their body temperatures and increases their chance of survival even through the cold.

It’s important to be prepared for the inevitable arrival of bugs in your home during the winter. Taking preventative measures, such as sealing crevices and cracks in foundations, windows, doors, walls, etc., is the first step; however, your best course of action is consulting a licensed pest control professional to perform preventative treatments. Black Diamond has many ongoing service plans to help prevent pests from entering your home. We also offer top-notch warranties for covered pests. So, if you’re interested in taking a more proactive approach to pest control, or if you are already seeing pest activity in your home, call 877-DEAD-BUG today.