If you’re new to Austin (or even if you’re not) you may be wondering what bugs are present during the “colder” months here.

And while we introduced our “Austin Pest Guide” a couple weeks back to answer the question “What kind of bugs are there in Austin?“, the next question we’re tackling is: “When are the bugs most active in Austin?”

Summer.

Alright, thanks for reading…

Ok, just kidding — mostly — but summertime bugs in Austin have a competition with people to see who earns the right to be outside. And people don’t always win that battle. From roaches to ants to scorpions and mosquitoes, bugs love being outside in Austin during warmer weather just like residents and tourists.

That said, let’s take a look at the pest population during the winter months. While Austin temperatures don’t regularly get below 50 until usually December or later, there is a “winter” season, and it does change which bugs you’ll see around your home and why, and how you can stay one step ahead.

Roaches

German roaches, unfortunately, are indoor pests already. So the outside weather won’t affect them much. If you spot one or two of these in your kitchen, don’t think that it will go away at the next cold snap. They won’t. They’re inside to stay and they move from place to place by getting into boxes, containers, old appliances and similarly transported goods. They can also travel between shared walls in multiple family residences and apartments.

American roaches, on the other hand, get less active in the winter, but — sadly for Austinites — they don’t die until it gets 15 degrees or colder. So while you may see less of them, they can move indoors to seek warmth and food.

To help roaches from trying to keep warm with you this winter, you can remove fallen leaves, debris, piles of wood near the home and removing or moving any rotting or decaying matter (such as a compost bin) away from the home.

Removing food sources like fallen bits of pumpkin pie or cranberry will help as well, and then we’ll all be thankful for fewer bugs over the holidays.

Ants

Ants don’t die in the winter, but they will get more sluggish and inactive since they are cold blooded. That means they’ll go further underground, hide under rocks, go under tree bark, etc. Anything to keep warmer until spring arrives.

With that cold blood, they may find warmth near or in your home. So while they are more active in the summer, you can come across ant invaders from time to time. But as with most bugs, a LOT less often than in the summer.

That said, you can go a step further and prevent them from coming in closer to your home just as you would with roaches. Rake up leaves, debris and remove unneeded rocks or stones by the home and any other ground items that would give them protection and warmth.

Rodents

Like other pests, including your in-laws (just a joke), rats and mice try to make their way in to your home during the winter months. The warmth and promise of food is enough to bring them in. Unlike your in-laws, they don’t typically use the front door. Small rodents only need a 1/4″ or more in many cases to wiggle into an inviting space, such as an attic.

The best prevention is to ensure 1) that you don’t already have mice or rats in your home and 2) to properly seal up any gaps or cracks that give them entrance.

You can also trim trees away from the roof and move or remove any wood piles or other debris near the house.

But if you should hear creatures stirring, give us a call for a rodent inspection.

Scorpions

Scorpions could make their way in during the cooler months looking for warmth. They will store up food obtained during their summer and fall hunts and as temperatures drop, seek a warm hiding spot. That unfortunately can be inside your home. They make their way in and often end up in attics and wall spaces.

Taking some preventive measures in the fall can help with winter scorpions, and then seeing them in the spring and summer. First, stop us if you’ve heard this before, but remove ground clutter, debris, stones and wood piles around your home. In case it hasn’t been made abundantly clear, pests like cover, warmth and moisture and that piles of leaves or leftover loose stones from a landscaping project are their playgrounds.

Getting a pest control service in the late summer and early fall can help knock out their food sources (other bugs) which leaves your home less enticing.

Finally, stuffing weep holes and gaps around your foundation structure, doors and windows reduces their entry points. Be sure to stuff weep holes with mesh or other breathable material so that the necessary airflow continues and your house can breathe.

Call our Austin pest control experts at (512) 443-0123 for assistance with scorpions or any wintertime pest issue you may be experiencing. As always, we require no contracts and our “on-demand” pest services are only needed when you have pests.

You can also fill out our fast pest control form for a quick quote.