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When It’s Cold Outside: What Pests Are Still Hanging Around (and What You Can Do About It)

When the Bay Area air turns crisp and you finally pull out that old sweater from the back of the closet, you might think pests are done for the year. Nope. They’re just moving inside — right along with you.

Every winter, I get calls from homeowners in Richmond, Santa Rosa, and all over the East Bay saying the same thing:

“It’s cold out — why do I still have ants?”
Or worse, “What’s that scratching in the walls?”

Truth is, when the temperatures drop, pests don’t vanish. They hunker down and look for warmth, food, and water. And guess what? Your cozy home checks every box.

Let’s walk through who’s most likely to show up when it’s chilly — and what you can actually do about it.

🐭 The Big Winter Invaders

Rodents: Mice & Rats

Let’s start with the worst offenders. Cold weather sends rodents into homes faster than you can say “cheese.”

They sneak through dime-sized holes, crawl up drain pipes, and even climb along branches that brush up against your roof. Once inside, they’ll chew wires, nest in insulation, and contaminate pantries faster than you realize.

I’ve seen entire families of mice living behind an unused stove in El Cerrito. The homeowners thought the “scratching” was the wind. It wasn’t.

What helps:

• Seal entry points with steel wool and caulk (they can’t chew through it).

• Keep food sealed in airtight containers — even pet food.

• Trim tree limbs touching your home.

• Call a professional if you hear scratching or see droppings — rodents multiply fast.

👉 Want more details? Check out our Rodent Control Services for safe, proven removal and prevention.

Ants

Believe it or not, ants don’t just vanish in winter. In fact, in milder Bay Area climates, ants stay active year-round — especially species like Argentine ants that love moisture and warmth.

When it’s cold, they tend to move indoors searching for food or shelter from the rain. I once found an entire ant trail running behind a toaster in a Berkeley kitchen — no joke.

What helps:

• Wipe up crumbs and spills right away.

• Keep counters dry (ants can detect moisture like radar).

• Check around windows and pipes for gaps.

• Use bait stations sparingly — and skip the DIY sprays, which just scatter colonies.

If ants are a recurring problem, our Ant Control experts can find the source and stop it for good.

Spiders

Here’s the thing: most spiders actually help by eating other pests. But when the temperature drops, even they start creeping inside. You’ll often find them tucked behind boxes in the garage or corners of window frames.

Bay Area favorites include cellar spiders (those long-legged ones) and the occasional black widow in darker storage areas.

What helps:

• Vacuum corners, storage shelves, and under furniture regularly.

• Keep outdoor lights off when not needed (they attract the bugs spiders eat).

• Shake out shoes and blankets if stored in garages or sheds.

If spiders keep showing up or you’re spotting dangerous species, our team can help you clear them safely.

Cockroaches

Roaches are another year-round problem, especially in older buildings or multi-family homes. When it’s cold, they’ll move closer to heat and water sources — kitchens, bathrooms, even laundry rooms.

If you’ve ever flipped on the light late at night and seen one scatter, you already know: if you see one, there are more hiding.

What helps:

• Fix leaky faucets and pipes (they love moisture).

• Store food properly.

• Empty trash often and clean bins with soap and water.

• Don’t rely on sprays — they rarely reach the nest.

Professional treatment is usually needed for roaches, so reach out for Cockroach Control if you suspect an infestation.

Silverfish & Pantry Pests

Cool, damp areas like basements or attics are perfect for silverfish, while pantry pests (like moths or beetles) hang out where food’s stored.

I once helped a family in Santa Rosa discover the culprit behind their “mystery moths” — a forgotten bag of flour in the back of the pantry. They’d been hosting an entire moth colony for weeks.

What helps:

• Store dry goods (flour, cereal, rice) in sealed containers.

• Use a dehumidifier in damp spaces.

• Rotate pantry items and toss anything expired.

🌧️ Why Winter Pest Control Still Matters in the Bay Area

Unlike places that freeze solid in winter, our Bay Area climate stays mild. That means pests stay active longer — and with less food outside, they target your home instead.

Even if you’re not seeing activity now, this is the time to prevent problems before they explode come spring.

That’s where Integrated Pest Management (IPM) comes in. At ATCO, we focus on:

• Inspection first — finding how and why pests are getting in.

• Targeted solutions — not just spraying everything in sight.

• Prevention and maintenance — keeping pests from returning.

You’d be amazed what we find during a winter inspection: rat burrows under decks, ant trails in wall voids, even wasp nests in attic corners that’ll re-emerge next year if left unchecked.

👉 Learn how our Integrated Pest Management approach keeps your home pest-free, season after season.

🧰 Quick Winter Pest Prevention Checklist

Here’s what I tell my neighbors every fall:

• Seal up any gaps or cracks around doors, windows, and vents.

• Store firewood at least 20 feet from the house.

• Clean gutters to prevent moisture buildup (mosquitoes love standing water, even in winter).

• Vacuum under furniture and in dark corners.

• Schedule a winter pest inspection — it’s the easiest way to stay ahead.

❓ FAQ: Bay Area Winter Pest Questions

Q: Do I still need pest control in winter?
Yes — especially here in the Bay Area where it doesn’t freeze. Winter is when pests move indoors, and regular service keeps them from settling in.

Q: How can I tell if rodents are in my walls?
Listen for scratching at night, especially near attics or baseboards. You might also notice droppings, greasy rub marks, or chewed materials.

Q: Are bugs actually worse after rain?
Absolutely. Rain drives ants, roaches, and spiders indoors looking for dry shelter. That’s why pest activity often spikes after a storm.

🌿 Wrap-Up: Stay Cozy, Stay Pest-Free

Cold weather doesn’t mean pest-free. It just means the game changes — and your warm, inviting home becomes prime real estate for uninvited guests.

So before winter really sets in, take a walk around your home. Check for gaps, clear the cobwebs, and don’t ignore strange noises in the walls.

And if you need a hand keeping your home pest-free this winter, our local team’s always here to help.
From Santa Rosa to Union City, ATCO Pest Control keeps Bay Area homes comfortable — no matter the season.

Because let’s face it — you’ve got better things to do this winter than share your house with pests.

👉 Contact ATCO Pest Control today for winter pest control you can count on.