Resources & Tips
Winter Pest Myths Debunked – What Actually Happens to Bugs in Lebanon, MO
| Jan 15, 2026
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Cold Weather Does Not Mean Pest Problems Disappear
Many Lebanon homeowners assume bugs simply freeze and die when winter settles in across Laclede County. But the truth is very different. While cold weather slows pest activity outdoors, it often pushes insects and rodents closer to homes in search of warmth.
At Plank Termite & Pest Control, we hear winter pest myths every season. Here is what actually happens to bugs during Lebanon's cold months.
Myth #1: Freezing Temperatures Kill All Bugs
Reality:
Most insects are built to survive winter. Instead of dying off, they change how and where they live.
Common overwintering strategies include:
- Hiding inside homes in wall voids, attics, basements, and crawlspaces
- Entering diapause, a state similar to insect hibernation
- Surviving as eggs or larvae, ready to hatch in spring
- Using your home's warmth to stay active year-round
In Lebanon, these pests commonly survive winter:
Myth #2: Spiders Do Not Come Inside During Winter
Reality:
Winter is prime time for indoor spider sightings in Lebanon. As temperatures drop, spiders move to warmer, more protected spots in and around the home.
They often show up in:
- Closets and storage rooms
- Basements and utility areas
- Laundry rooms
- Behind boxes, furniture, and stored items
Brown recluse spiders can remain active all winter in heated homes, especially in undisturbed areas.
Myth #3: Mice Stop Breeding in Winter
Reality:
Mice stay active all winter and can reproduce indoors as long as they have warmth, shelter, and food. Once they get inside through gaps as small as a dime, they settle in quickly.
Common rodent nesting areas include:
- Crawlspaces and basements
- Attics and insulation
- Kitchen cabinets and pantries
- Garages and storage buildings
- Wall and ceiling voids
Winter rodent calls spike in Lebanon every year because cold weather forces mice and rats to move inside for survival.
Myth #4: Mosquito Problems End Completely
Reality:
Mosquitoes seem to disappear during winter, but they do not vanish. They reset for spring.
Lebanon's spring mosquito surge starts forming in winter because:
- Eggs can survive in frozen or standing water
- Larvae may overwinter in protected, wet areas
- Containers, gutters, and yard debris hold moisture and shelter eggs
Winter yard cleanup, gutter maintenance, and moisture reduction help lower next year's mosquito population around your property.
Myth #5: Winter Pest Control Is Not Necessary
Reality:
Winter is one of the most important times to treat your home. Cold weather does not remove pest problems; it changes where pests hide.
Winter pest service helps:
- Target pests hiding deep inside walls, voids, and insulation
- Reduce spring and summer infestations early
- Control rodents before populations grow larger indoors
- Keep overwintering insects out of living spaces
Our Perimeter Guard Plan includes winter protection designed specifically for Missouri climates, including Lebanon and the surrounding areas.
Common Winter Pests in Lebanon, MO
Even when temperatures are at their lowest, many pests remain active indoors or nearby. Common winter pests in Lebanon include:
- Brown recluse spiders and other house spiders
- Rodents such as mice and rats
- Boxelder bugs, lady beetles, and stink bugs
- Cluster flies
- Silverfish and other moisture-loving insects
- German cockroaches in heated indoor spaces
How Plank Termite & Pest Control Treats Winter Pests in Lebanon
Our winter pest service focuses on where insects and rodents hide when temperatures drop, both inside and outside your home.
A typical winter visit in Lebanon may include:
- Interior inspection of basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and storage areas
- Rodent entry-point checks around foundations, doors, garages, and utility lines
- Treatment of wall voids and other key hiding spots
- Monitoring of attic, crawlspace, or basement conditions when accessible
- Exterior barrier treatment using winter-ready products
- Recommendations for sealing, moisture control, and clutter reduction
By keeping pests in check during winter, we help prevent spring and summer infestations before they have a chance to build up.
Protect Your Lebanon Home This Winter
Pests do not disappear during winter; they relocate. Often, they relocate into your home.
If you are seeing signs of rodents, spiders, or other winter pests around your Lebanon, MO home, it is a great time to schedule a professional inspection and treatment.
Call Plank Termite & Pest Control at 573-368-3333 or contact us through our website to schedule your winter pest service in Lebanon, MO. Stay warm, stay protected, and keep the myths out of your home this season.
