Because Las Vegas is a desert, many people don’t realize that it can get cold during the winter months. In fact, December average temperatures1 include a high of 57 degrees and a low of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. What does that mean for common Las Vegas bugs and pests? Do the cooler temperatures force them to seek shelter in homes and other buildings?
If you’re wondering what happens to bugs in the winter, our Las Vegas pest control experts explain.
Do bugs die in the winter?
Many types of bugs and insects actually do die during the frigid winter months. These bugs, including crickets, some species of beetles, and others, will lay their eggs in the fall and die before the cold temperatures really start. This way, the eggs, larvae, or pupae make it through to emerge in the spring and continue the life cycle.
Other insects and spiders do survive through the winter and can still create infestations in your home or office if you’re not careful.
Get ahead of bug issues before they become infestations. Contact Fischer’s Pest Control today to schedule a free estimate!
How do bugs survive the winter?
Many people don’t experience as many spider bites or bug bites in winter. That’s because insects and spiders are not as active during the colder months and have adapted to make it through the winters, also referred to as “overwintering.”
Here are some ways bugs survive cold temperatures:
- Remain Active – Because Las Vegas doesn’t see many sub-freezing days in the winter, some pests in Southern Nevada remain active during this time.
- Migration – Although this approach is not common with Las Vegas bugs, other parts of the country have insects that migrate to areas with warmer weather. Examples include monarch butterflies and dragonflies.
- Hiding Out – Other bugs prepare for cold weather by finding places to stay warm and wait out this time of year. Some choose to burrow underground, in trees, or even find insulated areas in homes and buildings.
- Freeze – It generally doesn’t get cold enough in Las Vegas for this to be a necessity, but some insects and other pests can live through the freezing temperatures by actually freezing themselves! Some bugs produce glycerol, which acts like an anti-freeze in their blood. This allows them to completely freeze while still alive, then thaw in the spring.
- Hibernate – Some pests live in a semi-frozen state (diapause2) that slows development, growth, and reproduction during cold winter months. A good example of this is the mourning cloak butterfly.
Las Vegas Bugs and Pests During Wintertime
If you’re worried about specific bugs during the cold months, our team breaks down what you can expect from common pests in the winter.
1. Cockroaches
Like many types of insects, cockroaches tend to thrive during warmer months. Because they are cold-blooded anthropods, they rely on environmental heat to survive. This means they generally aren’t as active or reproductive in the winter, with many surviving in a diapause state until warmer temperatures return.
2. Spiders
Spiders prey on insects, which are not as abundant in the wintertime. With food not as readily available, many spiders wait out the cold months by hiding out and reducing activity. This is a great time to check for nesting spiders and hidden webs to remove them before they become active again.
3. Scorpions
The scorpion is a type of Las Vegas pest that usually hibernates through the wintertime. Unfortunately, this means they seek warmth and shelter to do this, including in homes, garages, under rocks, and other covered areas. Bark scorpions are notorious for hibernating together in nests, which can make it especially dangerous when they become active in the spring.
4. Bed Bugs
One question we get a lot is, “Do bed bugs come out in the wintertime?” Unfortunately, bed bugs primarily live indoors where it’s warm and safe from the freezing outdoor temperatures. This means they can live year-round in your home, and you can still experience bed bug infestations even during the winter. It’s particularly difficult to kill bed bugs, so consider working with a professional bed bug exterminator for the best results.
5. Ants
Ants generally do not hibernate or freeze during cold temperatures. Instead, they burrow deep in the ground to stay warm during the winter. This way, they are not exposed to the elements and can wait out the cold months until emerging in the springtime.
6. Bees
Different species of bees overwinter in different ways, so it really depends. However, those that live in a hive protect their hibernating queen during cold winter months. The colony will wrap themselves around the queen in a protective cluster to ensure she is warm and safe while worker bees vibrate their wing muscles to generate heat.
Avoid pest problems in the spring with preventative maintenance in the winter! Contact us today to schedule your free estimate.
Preventative Bug Control Maintenance
The best pest control method is to prevent them from happening in the first place. During winter months when insects and spiders are not as active is the ideal time to take protective measures against future infestations.
To learn more about the preventative monthly services we offer at Fischer’s Pest Control, contact our team today! We can discuss options and specials that will fit your needs and budget.
Sources:
1Osborn, Liz. Las Vegas Weather in December. Current Results. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
2Schiesari, Luca and O’Connor, Michael B. (2013). Diapause: Delaying the Developmental Clock in Response to a Changing Environment. Current Topics in Developmental Biology. Volume 105, Pages 213-246. Retrieved 12 January 2022.