Where do insects go over the winter in Bellingham and Whatcom County

It’s cold outside and while you are wishing you could be somewhere warmer, it’s nice not to have bugs around. Where did they go?

Since ants, wasps, hornets, and flies return when it warms up, they must be somewhere. 

Insects have two objectives during the winter. 1.) Survive 2.) Reproduce.

Ants can survive in the winter. If it gets cold, they survive in our heated homes and buildings. If you see ant activity after a sunny winter’s day, there’s probably a nest in a nearby house, shed or under your patio. Ants also produce glycerol in cold months, which acts as an anti-freeze and keeps them alive.

Many bugs spend the winter in diapause, which is commonly referred to as hibernation. Stink bugs, flies, and even bats can sleep for months in a structure they find in the fall. Occasionally artificial light in our homes can fool the bugs into thinking it’s spring and going outdoors too early. 

While some insects die when winter comes, their offspring survive in the ground as eggs or larvae. One problem that can occur with warm winters is the insects don’t die off. That’s when invasive species like pine beetles do a lot of damage.

Yellow jackets and wasps can’t survive a true winter. The workers die after 5-7 days of temperatures 45 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. The new queen, who will create next year’s colony, survives deep in the ground, under bark of trees, in an attic, or any other place they can stay warm until spring.

If you are having issues with an overwintering insect nest in your home or business, contact Environmental Pest Control. We have the experience and equipment to do the job and keep your family safe.