5 ways to keep your Georgia home bug, rodent and snake free during winter months

Chelsea Madden
·4 min read

Colder weather means cozy blankets, bonfires and holiday preparations.

In addition, it means living bug-free, or at least for the most part anyway.

But in the South, there isn’t much avoiding living with pests, as the weather flip-flops from warm to cool most of the year.

So, let’s breakdown which pests you are most likely to see in Georgia’s cooler weather and how to protect your home from damage.

Why do bugs and other pests come inside when it gets cold?

Simply put: they’re looking for a warm place to live.

According to Monitor Pest Control in Atlanta, “Since bugs are coldblooded, cold temperatures can kill them. Insects will look for food and warmth inside your home.”

The experts at Monitor Pest Control said that winter is easily one of their busiest seasons because of the uptick in winter bugs seeking a home for the holidays.

Bugs common in Georgia’s winter weather

Here are the bugs you’ll see this winter in Georgia weather.

Spiders

They are creepy crawlers and they stick around after Halloween. For the most part, spiders pose no danger and are just looking for a warm home.

Silverfish

“These aptly named silver crawlers are most active in the fall and winter. They need humidity, but not food, to survive for long periods,” according to Monitor Pest Control.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a constant pest, even in the winter. They are very resilient and can find their way inside through sewer lines, a small hole or open doors.

Stink Bugs

Stink bugs need a warm home, too.

Termites

Experts at Monitor Pest Control said that firewood and yard waste can attract termites, as they are seeking out a snack and warm place to live.

Bedbugs

Even pests look for a warm bed in the winter. Makes sense, right? Be on the lookout for these pests when traveling or hosting others.

Beetles

Beetles hibernate in the winter and when they do, they might find their way into cracks and small spaces in your home.

And more

In addition to those bugs, another pest that is very common this time of year: rodents.

According to Active Pest Control in Locust Grove, mice and rats are two of the top pests to enter a home, garage or other structure when cold weather hits. Also, keep an eye out for squirrels and opossums.

In fact, Active Pest Control experts said mice can enter through a hole the size of a dime, while rats only need one the diameter of a quarter.

How to keep your home safe

Now that we’ve got the list of pests down for winter, let’s get down to business. Here’s how to keep your home safe from pests:

Active Pest Control suggests:

  • Start by paying attention to the weather forecast: If a cold winter is predicted, make sure you’re on the lookout for pests. Sealing cracks and holes along your foundation, door jambs or window sills doesn’t just help your home’s energy efficiency, but can keep pests from crawling inside.

  • Further, setting preemptive traps and baits can help stop a pest problem before it starts, and alert you to the possibility of an entry point. For maximum protection against cold-weather pests, turn to pest control experts.

More tips from Breda Pest Management in Loganville:

  • Clean up. Tree branches, shrubbery and hedges that are close to your house should be well-trimmed. Don’t give pests and insects an easy way to enter your home. Make sure your eaves are free from leaves and other debris that pests and insects can use as shelter and hiding places. From there, it will be easier for them to move inside your house at the first opportunity.

  • Don’t leave food or water out. Avoid leaving food and water sources on countertops or in your kitchen sink. Make sure your cabinets don’t have food crumbs in them by cleaning them regularly and thoroughly. Keep foods that cannot be refrigerated in tightly sealed containers. Pests look for easy food sources during winter, so make sure you’re not welcoming them into your home with a trail of breadcrumbs.

  • Keep storage at a distance. Remember to store firewood and mulch at least two feet away from the exterior walls of your house. Roaches and other small insects like hiding in them as they hold moisture and provide a modicum of warmth and protection.

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What’s your least favorite winter bug? Let us know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com