As winter sets in, it’s easy to see insects as dormant nuisances waiting to resurface in spring. But beneath piles of leaves and tucked into woodpiles, countless creatures—both pests and pollinators—are taking shelter to survive the cold weather. While it might seem logical to target bugs during this downtime, experts caution against it.
Why? Because many of the insect species resting in your yard play an important role in maintaining balance in nature. Instead of targeting them all during the colder months, learning to identify what’s helpful versus harmful can make all the difference in keeping your garden thriving year-round.
What is Diapause?
"Diapause describes the dormant state that some insects enter when temperatures become too cold to survive," shares Emma Grace Crumbley, an Entomologist at Mosquito Squad Plus. "In this state, the insect's metabolism slows down, and life cycle development through metamorphosis is paused until warmer weather arrives. In this state, insects will not move or eat until the cold season is over, making this period vulnerable to insects of all kinds."
While it may seem easy to manage pest populations while they're immobilized in a dormant state, it's not that simple. "Before entering diapause, insects find sheltered areas to burrow into that keep them safe from predators and environmental threats.
Treating for Pests While They're in Diapause Isn't the Answer
"Problematic insects like mosquitoes, flies, midges, and agricultural pests like hornworms, aphids, and grubs could be managed in the winter by reducing their breeding areas and cleaning out their overwinter habitats (moist substrates, leaf litter, and decaying organic matter)," notes Crumbley, while emphasizing, "However, it's important to remember that not all diapausing insects are pests. Praying mantises, lacewings, and several bee species are just a few of the beneficial insects that will also take shelter around your yard in the winter."
A broad treatment could not only kill the pests but the beneficial insects, too.
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"Trees, woodpiles, soil, rocky crevices, and leaf litter all provide ample shelter throughout the winter for insects," highlights Crumbley. "My advice is that unless you have a particular pest problem you struggle with every spring, it's okay to leave insect shelter areas in your yard over the winter."
To curtail major infestations, she adds, "Consider moving woodpiles, leaf piles, and decaying plants to the perimeters of your property to prevent pests from mistaking your home as a winter destination, but otherwise, letting your yard harbor insects in the winter can help promote native insect populations for the next year. Remember – not all bugs are bad!"
Ultimately, winter pest control is up to the homeowner, but you'll have a better chance of overall success if you wait until warmer temperatures return.
