Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Winter Pest Emergencies: The Top
Cold-Weather Pests That Become Active
During the Holidays
The holiday season in Wisconsin should be filled with warmth, family, and celebration — not
scratching noises in the attic or sudden pests showing up in your kitchen. Many homeowners
assume winter is “pest-free,” but the reality is the opposite:
Winter is one of the busiest times of year for emergency pest problems.
At Nexus Pest Solutions, we see a major spike in calls between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
Cold temperatures, holiday travel, increased food activity, and warm indoor environments create
the perfect conditions for several pests to become more active inside homes.
Here are the top winter pests that cause the most holiday disruptions — and what you can do to
prevent them.
🐭 1. Mice & Rats (The #1 Holiday Emergency)
Rodents don’t hibernate.
When temperatures drop, they move deeper into homes searching for warmth and food —
especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas, when pantries are full.
Common signs during the holidays:
● Scratching or scurrying in walls or ceilings
● Droppings in kitchens or pantries
● Chewed Christmas decorations or storage boxes
● Noises in attics, especially at night
● Pets staring at walls or acting unusually alert
Why they spike in December:
● Holiday baking = more crumbs and stored food
● Guests opening doors more often
● Garages used more frequently
● Decorations pulled from infested storage bins
Rodents are more than a nuisance — they spread bacteria, contaminate food, and can cause
electrical fires by chewing wires.
️ 2. Spiders (Especially in Basements & Garages)
While spiders are active all year, they become more noticeable in winter because:
● They move indoors seeking warmth
● Their prey (other insects) are inside with you
● Basements and utility rooms stay humid and dark
Homeowners often discover spiders when retrieving decorations or storing gifts.
Common holiday spider locations:
● Garages
● Storage bins
● Behind tree skirts
● Under basement stairs
● Furnace rooms
Though most are harmless, sudden sightings often send families into panic mode — especially
during gatherings.
🦠 3. Pantry Pests (Meal Moths, Beetles & Weevils)
Holiday baking attracts these pests more than any other time of year.
You may find them in:
● Flour
● Rice
● Cereal
● Birdseed
● Baking mixes
● Pet food
Once inside a bag, they multiply rapidly and can spread throughout your kitchen. Many families
don’t realize they have pantry pests until they open a container to bake holiday cookies.
❄️ 4. Cluster Flies & Other Overwintering Bugs
Warm indoor temperatures or sunlight on your home can cause overwintering insects to “wake
up” during winter.
These include:
● Cluster flies
● Asian beetles
● Boxelder bugs
● Brown marmorated stink bugs
Holiday triggers for activity:
● Turning on attic lights
● Heating unused rooms for guests
● Warm spells between snowstorms
● Bringing decorations down from the attic
These pests don’t bite, but they’re incredibly annoying — and often appear in groups.
🐜 5. Ants (Yes, They Can Be Active in Winter!)
Many homeowners are shocked to find ants in their kitchens in December or January.
How does this happen?
Because some ant colonies live inside:
● Wall voids
● Basement cracks
● Under floors
● Behind appliances
When holiday food is out, ants follow the scent.
Common winter ant species in Wisconsin:
● Odorous house ants
● Pavement ants
● Carpenter ants (especially when near moisture sources)
If you see ants in winter, it usually means the colony is inside your home — not coming from
outdoors.
🔥 6. Silverfish & Firebrats
These moisture-loving pests hide in:
● Bathrooms
● Laundry rooms
● Storage areas
● Basements
Holiday laundry, more showers, and guests raising humidity can trigger sudden sightings.
They’re known for chewing:
● Paper
● Books
● Wallpaper glue
● Fabrics
● Wrapping paper
📦 7. Storage Bin Pests
This category includes spiders, earwigs, beetles, and even the occasional mouse living in
holiday storage areas.
Triggered by:
● Opening attic or basement bins
● Disturbing old cardboard
● Moving decorations stored near exterior walls
Many homeowners discover pests when decorating for the holidays — or packing everything
away in January.
🎄 Why Winter Pest Problems Get Worse
During the Holidays
1. More food and crumbs than usual
Holiday meals, snacks, baked goods, and parties create more food scent trails.
2. Extra foot traffic
Guests open doors more often, giving pests opportunities to enter.
3. Heating systems create warm nesting zones
Rodents and insects gravitate toward furnaces, hot water heaters, and attic insulation.
4. Holiday decorations introduce hidden pests
Stored items often bring insects into living areas.
5. Travel spreads pests
Bed bugs and other hitchhiking insects increase during holiday travel seasons.
️ How to Prevent Holiday Pest
Emergencies
Here’s what you can do to protect your home during the busiest pest season of the winter.
Seal Food Sources
● Store baking ingredients in airtight containers
● Clean up crumbs immediately
● Take garbage out nightly
● Keep pet food in sealed bins
Check Decorations Before Bringing Them In
● Shake out artificial trees
● Inspect wreaths
● Open storage bins outdoors if possible
Seal Entry Points
● Install new door sweeps
● Seal gaps around utility lines
● Close garage doors fully
● Repair foundation cracks
Reduce Moisture
● Use dehumidifiers
● Fix leaks under sinks
● Ventilate humid rooms
Listen for Noises
Scratching, chewing, or rustling noises are major red flags — especially at night.
🏡 When to Call Nexus Pest Solutions
If you notice:
● Droppings
● Scratching in walls
● Bugs showing up on warm winter days
● Pantry insects
● Holiday storage pests
● Ants in the kitchen
● Activity in the attic
…it’s time for a professional inspection.
We provide:
● Holiday emergency treatments
● Full winter pest inspections
● Safe interior service
● Rodent exclusion
● Attic and wall-void solutions
● Long-lasting preventative plans
And everything is backed by our money-back guarantee.
