Are Cockroaches Still Active During Winter?

If you have a cockroach problem in your home or business, there’s a good chance that you have started to see an increase in pest activity as colder temperatures begin to consistently settle in. Unlike other pests, like mosquitoes and ticks, cockroaches will begin establishing nests indoors to wait out the winter and obtain adequate sources of food. In this article, we will explain what happens to cockroaches during winter and some of the ways to protect your home from a possible infestation.

What Do Cockroaches Do When It’s Cold?

In most cases, cockroaches will rapidly breed during the summer months because of the warm, humid conditions they are able to take advantage of. As fall approaches, a large number of cockroaches that are still outdoors will begin to die off when temperatures fall beneath 50°F while nymphs will enter a state of dormancy until the following spring arrives. However, this is not the case for cockroaches that are indoors because they target temperature and humidity level will still be available.

Appliances, crawl spaces and other unfrequented areas of your home will typically provide a perfect nesting location for cockroaches to continue to flourish. Unfortunately, this means that a small collection of cockroaches can quickly become a much larger problem in a short period of time. Without identifying their nesting location quickly, homeowners and business owners run the risk of allowing an infestation to occur within a matter of months.

German Cockroaches, perhaps the most troublesome species, are capable of breeding year-round because they tend to take up residence inside of wall voids year-round. Perhaps the most common reason this happens is that the temperature never fluctuates below 50°F and their presence remains unknown unless the population becomes too large and must branch out for food. Because Oklahoma typically has a mild winter, it’s unlikely that the cold will remove existing cockroach problems.

How Can You Avoid Cockroach Infestation During Winter?

Like any other season, continued treatment is important during the fall and winter months to ensure you aren’t allowing cockroaches to take advantage of your costly heating unit. This means actively checking for cracks or other sources inside of your structure that can be utilized by these small pests for entry. If any are found, seal them with caulk or another appropriate sealant to eliminate entry.

While leaving faucets dripping may be a good way to keep your pipes from freezing in the cold, leaky pipes elsewhere could be providing cockroach populations with the water needed to survive. Take the time to check your plumbing systems and any exposed piping under sinks and cabinets to check for leaks. If a leak is found, correct the issue yourself or contact a licensed plumber for assistance to eliminate this crucial component needed for the survival of these pests.

If you find the signs of cockroaches around your home or business or have seen living cockroaches, it is important to contact a pest control specialist as soon as possible. Cockroaches can breed rapidly indoors because they have all of their basic needs, including food or water, met. Don’t let the problem become larger than it already is. We can help!

Why Emtec Pest Control for Tulsa Cockroach Control?

Contact Emtec Pest Control today to rid your home or business of unwanted cockroaches. Our technicians are licensed, experienced and ready to provide you with a completely free, whole home or business pest control evaluation. Emtec Pest Control exterminates unwanted pests all across Oklahoma. Our service areas include Tulsa, Owasso, Oklahoma City, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Stillwater and Sand Springs. If you are ready to get started or want to proactively treat for pests that may make their way inside of your home or business, give us a call at (918) 663-0613 or contact us today!