You know that bears hibernate. You have probably made reference to fellow Minnesota residents that seem to hibernate in winter. Do bugs hibernate? Find out what winter pests do and where they go when temperatures drop.
WHERE DO BUGS GO IN THE WINTER?
Each year most bugs in Minnesota go from seemingly everywhere to nowhere in a matter of a few days. Knowing where bugs go in the winter makes it possible to reduce spring outbreaks.
INSECT HIBERNATION: WHAT HAPPENS TO BUGS WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP
When temperatures drop, pests have 3 survival options.
- Die – most insects and arachnids die in cold temperatures. The reason they keep coming back year after year in a place like Minnesota is a large enough part of the population has a way of surviving while their cohorts die. For example, only the future queen wasps survive while the males all die off.
- Diapause – This is the typical bug equivalent of hibernation. Insects like mosquitoes will pause their development in the egg stage (some species pause for multiple years) until conditions are right. Others like box elder bugs and wasp queens can go into a life pause as an adult where an anti-freeze like substance stops their fluids from crystalizing. When spring comes, their bodies warm and they go about their bug business rebuilding the population.
- Migrate – Some insects like Monarchs will migrate thousands of miles to be in the right habitat. Pests like cluster flies or mice will just move in to the closest house. A cluster fly migration may consist of several hundred yards.
HOW BUGS SURVIVE FREEZING WINTER TEMPERATURES
It doesn’t matter whether the winter temp is 40 or -40. Bugs have multiple mechanisms to help them hibernate. The dropping temperature of winter means threats to both the bugs’ body functions and the availability of food. Winter pests are experts at adapting to the local conditions. Whether this involves longer states during protected life development phases or hijacking climate control systems that people have set up, winter pests go beyond surviving and thrive.
WHAT BUGS HIBERNATE?
The list of insects and arachnids that enter a hibernation like state is quite extensive. The most common pests that do so include ants, outdoor spiders, box elder bugs, centipedes, crickets, earwigs, wasps and asian beetles. Insects that hibernate seek out a protective area for self or offspring. Insect hibernation consists of internal changes that slow or stop metabolic processes and protect the insect from freezing temperatures.
COMMON MINNESOTA BUGS YOU’LL SEE IN WINTER
Winter pests are only a fraction of the year-round pests but their population numbers are plenty high. The winter ant is a common sight in Minnesota but this usually comes from something interrupting the ant’s overwintering stage. Minnesota bugs are as ready (or more so) for the weather as its “Minnesota nice” residents.
WINTER PESTS: COCKROACHES, SILVERFISH, BEDBUGS, AND MORE
The pests that stay active in the wintertime are among some of the most notorious pests. They develop this notoriety by evolving to live so up-close and personal with you.
Do cockroaches die in the winter? They will if you throw them out in the snow, but Brown banded and German cockroaches are some of the most prolific winter roaches. They typically live between walls of homes and in appliance voids where they have plenty of access to food and complete protection from seasonal changes.
Bedbugs only travel as far as they have to for safe hiding between meals. They only venture outside when they hitch rides in your shoe tread or backpack.
Silverfish stay close to warm temperatures and humidity like attics and ceiling voids above bathrooms.
CALL ROVE PEST CONTROL TODAY FOR EXPERT WINTER PEST SOLUTIONS
Winter pests are Rove Pest Control‘s specialty. Rove’s experts will take care of the pests mooching off of your central heating and protect you from future pest conducive conditions. Take advantage of pest control in the winter to tackle active pests like mice as well as all of the bugs in winter and improve your lot for springtime!