Winter preparations aren’t just for us – pests are getting ready too. When the cold weather hits, some pests, like mosquitoes, flies, and bees, seem to disappear, bringing relief from their irritating stings and bites. Others go into hibernation, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Despite the outdoors seeming nearly pest-free in the colder months, certain winter invaders find their way into your warm home to wait out the cold.
Here are 8 of these cold weather pests to keep an eye on this winter:
If you spot small, grayish-brown specks on your home’s exterior, stink bugs might be the culprits.These smelly critters huddle on home walls, seeking warmth, and if given the chance, they’ll happily move inside for the winter.
Stink Bugs:
Field Guide · Southeast
Cold-weather pests that move indoors in winter
Several common pests don’t disappear in winter — they relocate into your home. Knowing which ones to expect and where they hide makes identification faster when it counts.
1Can bite
Brown recluse spider
IDSmall tan-to-brown body with a dark violin-shaped mark on the back
WhereUndisturbed storage rooms, attics, basements, and bagged clothing
NoteBites are rare but can cause serious tissue damage. Encounters spike in winter when recluses push deeper into heated interior spaces.
2Disease risk
Deer tick
IDTiny, dark reddish-brown body roughly the size of a sesame seed
WhereHitchhiking on pets; found in bedding, carpets, and furniture once indoors
NoteUnlike most ticks, deer ticks remain active even in cold weather and are the primary vector for Lyme disease in the Southeast.
3Contaminates
German cockroach
IDLight brown, about half an inch long, with two dark parallel stripes behind the head
WhereKitchens, bathrooms, and anywhere clutter or food waste accumulates
NoteGerman cockroaches reproduce quickly indoors and are notoriously difficult to eliminate once established. Winter infestations tend to be well-entrenched by the time they’re noticed.
4Damages wood
Termite
IDPale, soft-bodied, about ¼ inch; workers are creamy white with no wings; swarmers have two equal-length wings
WhereSoil near the foundation, crawl spaces, and moist wood inside walls
NoteTermites stay active year-round in the Southeast and will keep feeding through winter. Activity spotted in the colder months signals a mature, established colony.
5Damages wood
Carpenter ant
IDLarge black ant, up to ½ inch; winged reproductives have one large and one smaller wing pair
WhereMoist or damaged wood in walls, attics, and around windows
NoteWinged carpenter ants seen indoors in winter almost always mean a satellite colony is already inside the structure — not just scouts passing through.
6Gnaws wiring
House mouse
IDDusty gray-brown fur, large ears, pointed snout, and a thin hairless tail roughly as long as its body
WhereBasements, wall voids, dark corners, and behind appliances
NoteMice can squeeze through a gap the size of a dime. Look for small dark droppings and gnaw marks on baseboards as early signs of entry.
7Can bite
Bed bug
IDFlat, oval, mahogany-brown body about the size of an apple seed; swells and reddens after feeding
WhereMattress seams, box springs, headboards, and luggage after travel
NoteBed bugs don’t come in from the cold — they hitchhike. Winter travel is a common introduction point; inspect hotel rooms and check luggage before bringing it inside.
8Low concern
Stink bug
IDShield-shaped grayish-brown body with alternating light and dark banding on the abdomen edge
WhereExterior walls and window frames in fall; interior wall voids and attics through winter
NoteStink bugs don’t bite or damage structure, but crushing or vacuuming them releases a pungent odor. Seal entry points before temperatures drop to prevent mass aggregation.
Waynes has protected Southeast families for 50 years as an EPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship member. Every little thing matters. A LOT.
