Why Winter is the Most Important Time for Pest Control

When temperatures drop, many homeowners assume pest problems disappear, in reality, winter is one of the busiest seasons for pest control professionals...especially for rodents and overwintering pests.

Cold weather doesn't eliminate pests, it pushes them indoors.

Understanding what pests do this time of year and how to prevent them, can save costly damage, contamination and surprise infestations come spring.

What Happens to Pests in Winter?

As outdoor food and shelter become scarce, pests look for three things:

• Warmth

• Protection

• A Reliable Food Source

Your home provides all three.

Rodents and insects don't hibernate inside houses, they actively nest, chew, breed and contaminate throughout the winter months.

The Most Common Winter Pest Invaders

Rodents (Mice & Rats)

Winter is peak season for rodents. Once inside, they:

• Nest in walls, attics and insulation

• Chew wiring, increasing fire risk

• Contaminate food and surfaces

• Multiply quickly

If you're hearing scratching at night, it's not "just the cold"... It's likely active rodents.

Overwinter Insects

Many insects seek shelter indoors to survive the winter, including:

• Cluster flies

• Boxelder bugs

• Lady beetles

• Stink Bugs

They often enter through tiny cracks and gaps and remain hidden until warmer days trigger activity.

Wildlife

Squirrels, raccoons and other wildlife use winter to:

• Take advantage of existing roof and soffit weaknesses

• Nest in attics for warmth

• Cause structural and insulation damage

Once established removals becomes more complex and more expensive.

Why Winter is the Best Time to Act

1. Entry points are easier to identify

   With snow on the ground, wildlife and rodents leave clear tracks and use consistent access points.

2. Nesting Damage is Actively Happening

   Damage doesn't stop in winter, it accelerates. Rodents chew constantly, to keep teeth trimmed.

3. Preventing now, saves you in the spring

   Stopping pests in winter prevents:

   - Breeding explosions in spring

   - Odours from nesting and waste

   - Insulation contamination

   - Structural repairs later on

Common Winter Pest Mistakes Homeowners Make

• Sealing holes after pests are already inside

• Ignoring scratching or droppings

• Assuming insects are “gone until spring”

• Using store-bought traps without addressing entry points

Without proper exclusion, pests will keep returning.

How Professional Winter Pest Prevention Works

At Balson Pest Control, winter services focus on long-term protection, not just temporary fixes.

Our approach includes:

• Full exterior inspection for entry points

• Rodent and wildlife exclusion

• Attic and insulation inspections

• Targeted winter rodent programs

• Monitoring and follow-up to ensure success

This proactive approach stops pests before they cause bigger problems.

Winter Is Prevention Season

If pests are already inside, winter is when damage happens quietly...behind walls and above ceilings.

If pests aren’t inside yet, winter is your opportunity to keep them out for good.

Protect Your Home This Winter

At Balson Pest Control, we follow The Balson Way: Remediate → Repair → Restore

📍 Serving Simcoe County and surrounding areas

🛡️ Book a winter pest inspection today

✔ Stop pests before spring and restore your peace of mind