Do Insects Die Off in Cold Winter Weather?

Insects are just as much a part of life as we are. At certain times of the year, you’d expect to see lots of insects up and around and yes, probably getting on our nerves too. The summer months are packed with insects of all kinds, but what about the winter? Do they die off completely in winter or should we still be concerned about them?

Most insect species are nothing if not superbly hardy. They’ve learned how to survive and that means even the harshest Scottish winters see insect breeds finding a way to keep going until the snow melts and the temperature rises. Most adult insects will die before the colder weather arrives. However, the larvae will already have been developed and will be strong enough to go through the colder months before hatching in the warmer months.

In other words, even though you cannot see most species of insects during the winter months, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there. They are simply biding their time and waiting until the weather improves to begin their new generation. The one way you may notice a difference in insect populations is if spring begins early. This means insects can get a good start on their next cycle of development, which means more of them could be seen in the following spring and summer. Conversely, if the winter lasts for a longer period, it could mean we see fewer insects next year (good for gardeners, at least).

Of course, it doesn’t always apply. Cluster flies can hibernate for the winter in any building they can find. That’s fair enough, you might think, but buildings tend to be warmer than the surroundings outside. That means the cluster flies can come in, begin their hibernation and then wake up early when the central heating comes on. Lighting can also fool them into thinking it’s time to wake up when it’s still the middle of winter.

This confusion can lead us to be hassled by flies even in winter – probably the last time of the year we would expect this to be the case. So, if you think you will be completely free of insects during the winter months, you would be wrong. If you are hassled by them and you want advice on getting rid of them from your home, you know who to contact.