What Pests Survive Inside During Winter? A Homeowner’s Guide for Coles County
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When winter hits Illinois, most people assume pests disappear until spring. Unfortunately, many pests survive extremely well inside homes during the cold months. Heated houses offer everything they need—warmth, food, moisture, and shelter. That’s why winter pest control is just as important as summer treatment.
At Don Baker’s Pest Control, we help homeowners across Coles County and surrounding areas stay protected year-round. Here are the pests most likely to survive inside your home during winter—and why they become a problem.
🐭 Mice
Mice are the most common winter invaders. They stay active all year and enter homes through openings as small as a dime.
Common hiding areas: walls, attics, crawl spaces, basements
Problems: chewing wires, contamination, nesting
🐀 Rats
Rats thrive indoors during winter where it’s warm and sheltered.
Common hiding areas: basements, garages, storage areas
Problems: structural damage and fire hazards from chewing
🕷️ Spiders
Spiders become more noticeable during winter as they seek warm, undisturbed areas.
Common hiding areas: corners, closets, basements
Problems: webbing, bites if disturbed
🪳 Cockroaches
German and American roaches survive easily inside heated homes.
Common hiding areas: kitchens, bathrooms, appliances
Problems: odors, allergens, rapid reproduction
🐜 Ants
Indoor ants stay active all winter, especially sugar ants and pavement ants.
Common hiding areas: wall voids, floors, food storage areas
🪲 Overwintering Beetles
(Ladybugs, stink bugs, boxelder bugs)
These pests sneak indoors in fall and remain hidden until warmer days.
Common hiding areas: attics, walls, ceiling voids
🪰 Cluster Flies
Cluster flies rest in wall voids and attics during winter. They become active when temperatures fluctuate.
🛏️ Bed Bugs
Winter does not slow down bed bugs—they live where people sleep.
Common hiding areas: mattresses, furniture, flooring
Problems: constant feeding, spreading, difficult to eliminate without treatment
Stay Protected All Winter Long
Winter pests can cause damage, spread quickly, and create stress for homeowners. A professional pest control plan is the best way to keep your home protected.
Serving: Coles, Moultrie, Shelby, Cumberland, Effingham, Edgar, Jasper, Champaign & Crawford counties.
📞 217-235-3039
🌐 donbakerpestcontrol.com