What Happens to Pests During the Winter?

Overview of winter survival strategies of insects

When the cold weather rolls in, bears go into hibernation, birds migrate south and we, as humans, layer up and relax by the fire to stay warm throughout the winter months. But, what happens to pests like ants, mosquitoes and termites? Many people assume they just die off, but the truth is that these and other insects often devise strategies to make it through the winter. Learn more about how specific pests survive the harsh elements below.

It’s not all that often you see an army of ants marching across the kitchen counter in the dead of winter. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t nearby. Ants are very successful at overwintering in the great outdoors, including our own yards. During the fall months, they indulge in vast amounts of food with the goal of putting on fat to survive for weeks on end without eating. As the winter chill arrives, their body temperature – and productivity – significantly decreases, so they seal up their colony and hunker down in deep soil or under rocks until spring has sprung. Once the temperature rises, ants will emerge from their overwintering sites, full of energy and ready to crash the next backyard barbecue.

Article source: pestworld.org