Seasons change, and with them, the threat of certain pests changes, too. One pest that behaves differently as temperatures fall is the cockroach. These big bugs go into one of a few states as the weather gets colder. Most of them adapt, but some aren’t able to make the changing weather conditions work. Here are all the places cockroaches tend to go during the winter: 

Hibernation

Cockroaches aren’t big fans of winter. Being coldblooded, their bodies have no way to adapt to temperatures. Cold weather slows them down. In fact, most cockroaches spend the entire season in a hibernation-like state known as diapause. During diapause, cockroaches stop growing, and their metabolism slows so they don’t need to eat. Over the winter, they hide under wood or decaying trees outdoors for shelter. However, they don’t all stay outside. 

Indoors

Some cockroaches find their way indoors to escape the cold conditions. Since they’re coldblooded, their bodies conform to the comfortable indoor temperature, which allows them to keep being active. Houses provide the warmth, food and water they need to thrive. They hide in basements, kitchens, drains and pipes during the winter, avoiding humans whenever possible.

The Afterlife

Diapause can protect cockroaches as temperatures drop for the winter. However, this has its limits. When temperatures dip below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, these coldblooded creatures typically die off. To avoid dying, some cockroaches find their way to warmer conditions but not all are successful.

During the winter, West Des Moines pest control gets a little easier with cockroaches hibernating and dying off. However, they sometimes find their way into homes despite the odds. If you’re dealing with a winter infestation, give us a call at 515-279-7378 or contact us online.