Why Bugs Don't Actually "Disappear" in Winter

And Why November Is the Most Important Month to Stay Protected from bugs

As the cooler weather settles into Alabama, many people breathe a sigh of relief thinking the bugs have finally packed their bags and moved on. Unfortunately… they haven’t. While you might see fewer pests outside during winter, that doesn’t mean they’re gone. Most of them are simply shifting gears, seeking shelter, or waiting for warmer days — and many choose your home to do it.

Here’s the real story about what bugs do in winter, and why November pest control is one of the smartest steps you can take.

Bugs Don’t Disappear — They Hide

When temperatures drop, insects enter survival mode. Depending on the species, they may:

Overwinter Indoors

Many pests slip into cracks, wall voids, attics, and basements to hide until spring. Common overwintering pests in Alabama include:

• Stink bugs

• Asian lady beetles

• Spiders

• Ants

• Boxelder bugs

These pests often reappear on warm winter days or suddenly show up inside your home in early spring.

Some Move Deeper Into Your Home for Warmth

Just like people, pests look for warm, quiet places to ride out the cold. This includes:

• Behind baseboards

• Inside cabinets

• Around plumbing

• Behind appliances

• In insulation

Roaches and spiders especially thrive in temperature-controlled homes, which is why skipping winter pest control often makes infestations worse by spring.

Others Keep Reproducing — Even in Winter

Not all pests slow down. German cockroaches, for example, continue breeding year-round as long as they live indoors. So even though you're seeing fewer bugs outside, an untreated indoor roach population can grow quickly during the winter months.

Termites are active all year, too — they don’t hibernate at all. They simply move deeper into the soil or stay insulated inside your home’s structure.

Warm Winters = More Pest Activity

Alabama doesn’t always get a long, cold winter. When temperatures warm up for a few days, pests become active again. This is why many homeowners notice:

• Sudden ant trails in January

• Roaches appearing on warm afternoons

• Wasps buzzing around the garage when temperatures spike

• Stink bugs waking up on sunny days

Those “warm snaps” give bugs a chance to move around — including inside your home.

Why November Pest Control Really Matters

Even though bugs seem to fade away, November is prime time for pest control because:

✅ You stop pests before they get settled into your home.

Once they’re hiding inside walls and insulation, they’re harder to treat.

✅ You prevent winter breeding.

Cutting down cockroach or ant populations now saves major headaches in spring.

✅ You block entry points before temperatures drop further.

Cool weather drives pests in. November treatments help seal and protect.

✅ You avoid springtime surprise infestations.

Overwintering pests often emerge all at once when warm weather returns.

In short: winter is when pests hide — but that’s exactly why pest control is so crucial.

Keep Your Home Protected All Winter Long

At Dave’s Pest Control, our winter service is designed to target hiding spots, eliminate existing activity, and block new pests from entering. It’s simple maintenance now that prevents big problems later.

If you want to stay ahead of winter pests — not just react to them — November is the perfect time to schedule your service.