What Happens To Bees And Pests In Winter?

As the cold weather starts to set in, we all tend to spend more time indoors, where it’s warm, dry and safe. Other creatures have the same idea! There are all sorts of insects and other pests you may see in your home–like flies, lady beetles, stink bugs or cockroaches–biding their time until warm temperatures show up in spring. But what about the bees and wasps? Where do they spend their winters? We’ll get into it and let you know what to do if you need help with pests over winter.

Bees And Wasps In Winter

While the groups of insects we call bees and wasps are vast, there are some common behaviors and ways of being that we can generalize about. The majority of the wasps we are familiar with as uninvited guests at our backyard cookouts do not survive the winter. Most of a wasp colony will die as cold weather sets in during late fall. However, mated queens will find a protected place to hide and then enter into a hibernation that lasts until temperatures warm in spring. They then get busy finding a nesting spot, building the beginning of the nest, and laying the eggs that will become that year’s colony of workers and drones. The same is typically true for hornets as well.

As far as European honeybees go, when cold temperatures set in, the colony retreats into their hive. There, they stay in motion in order to keep the queen warm. During winter they use their honey reserves as their food source. On warm days, they may leave the hive, but in general, they stay close to home in winter. 

Native U.S. bee species have varied survival methods during winter. For example, bumblebees are much like wasps, in that mated queens are typically the only survivors. The rest of the colony dies off in fall. However, mason bees will survive the winter in an immature form, to emerge in spring. There are thousands of species of bees native to the U.S., and they all have their own behaviors and winter survival methods. In general, those that do overwinter will do it outdoors, often tucked safely under fallen leaves or plant debris. 

That said, it is possible to find overwintering bees or wasps in your home. They are generally very docile, since they are likely in a dormant and weakened state. However, if you have any worries or think that perhaps honeybees have made their home somewhere in your house, garage, shed or other building, you want to find someone who can provide expert wasp extermination and bee control in Cleveland.

Household Pests In Winter

We’ve already touched on several pests and insects that you may find in your home over the winter months. However, there are more to mention. The obvious one is rodents. Mice, rats and even squirrels are always looking for a warm, dry and safe place to hide out, and if there’s an easy way into your home, they will find it. Mice do not hibernate and are on the hunt for food and water sources all year long. Taking steps to seal external openings and keep your home and property tidy can help to prevent a rodent infestation. That said, they are very determined critters, and are great at exploiting weak spots. They especially love less frequented areas, like attics and basements.

Ants are typically an issue in spring, but as winter approaches they tend to slow down their foraging activities. That said, if an ant colony has set up shop in your home or nearby in a sheltered area, you may see them indoors over winter.

Pest Control in Winter

Pest control may not be top-of-mind this time of year, but taking preventive measures now can mean less pest issues in the year to come. This can mean taking extra steps to clean up any debris on your property that could serve as the ideal home for insects and rodents. On those inevitable warm winter days, using a sealant to close up gaps and even the tiniest of holes can make a big difference and keep pests out. 

Winter is also a great time for a pest control specialist to help you remove any vacant wasp nests on your property. While wasps won’t reuse nests, lingering insects could pose a risk. And if you do find any overwintering queen wasps in your home or other buildings, removing them now will ensure that they don’t use your home or garage to build their nests in spring. 

If you need help with any of these winter pest control tasks, the experts at Cleveland Bee Removal in Cleveland are here for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to book an appointment.