When winter arrives in Surrey, we naturally focus on cozy nights indoors but so do pests. As temperatures drop, rodents, spiders, ants, cockroaches, and even silverfish begin searching for warmth, food, and moisture inside local homes. Understanding how and why they invade during the cold months is key to keeping your home healthy, safe, and pest-free.
1. Rodents: The #1 Winter Invaders in Surrey Homes
When the temperature falls, the most common winter rodents are the Norway rat and house mouse — head indoors through small openings in foundations, vents, and even gaps around doors.
Once inside, rodents quickly build nests in attics, basements, or behind walls. They chew through wires, insulation, and stored items causing costly damage. Even worse, they carry bacteria and viruses like Hantavirus and Salmonella, posing serious health risks to your family.
Warning signs include:
- Scratching or scurrying sounds at night
- Droppings near food or storage areas
- Chewed wires or packaging
Prevention Tip: Seal cracks and gaps around pipes and vents, store food in sealed containers, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight. For established infestations, professional rodent exclusion and control services are essential to eliminate nests and prevent re-entry.
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2. Spiders Seeking Warmth Indoors
Spiders are a common sight in Surrey homes during winter. While most local species are harmless, their presence often indicates another underlying pest problem since spiders follow their prey (like flies and insects) indoors.
They tend to hide in dark, undisturbed areas such as basements, garages, and storage closets. Although a few webs might seem harmless, a sudden increase in spider activity can signal a larger insect infestation and suggests it’s time for a professional inspection.
Prevention Tip: Keep storage areas tidy, vacuum regularly, and remove clutter that provides hiding spaces.
3. Cockroaches: Surviving the Cold with You
Cockroaches don’t hibernate they relocate. During winter, they move inside homes through drains, plumbing lines, or cracks around baseboards.
The German cockroach, Surrey’s most common indoor species, thrives in warm, humid environments such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Once settled, they breed rapidly and spread bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. They also trigger allergies and asthma, particularly in children.
In multi-family buildings across Surrey, one untreated infestation can spread quickly from one unit to another.
Prevention Tip: Keep kitchens clean, repair leaking pipes, and schedule regular pest control inspections to detect early signs of infestation.
At Total Pest Control Ltd, we use targeted gel baits and insect growth regulators (IGRs) for safe, effective cockroach elimination.
4. Ants Moving Indoors for Food and Shelter
Ants are often thought of as a summer problem, but in Surrey’s mild winters, they can remain active indoors. Carpenter ants and odorous house ants are especially common.
Carpenter ants tunnel through damp or decaying wood, weakening structural integrity over time, while odorous house ants invade kitchens searching for food and moisture.
Even small colonies can expand quickly if conditions are right. DIY sprays only eliminate visible ants, not the colony itself, leading to recurring issues.
Prevention Tip: Eliminate standing water, fix leaks, and ensure food crumbs are cleaned up promptly. For ongoing issues, professional treatments targeting colonies and nests are necessary for full elimination.
5. Silverfish and Other Moisture-Loving Pests
Winter heating systems often create condensation and dampness in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens ideal environments for silverfish and other moisture pests like earwigs or centipedes.
While these pests don’t bite or spread disease, their presence often indicates excess humidity or moisture buildup which can also lead to mold growth.
Prevention Tip: Use dehumidifiers, seal cracks around baseboards, and improve ventilation in moisture-prone areas. Managing indoor humidity not only prevents pests but also helps control mold and mildew.
Why Winter Pest Problems Persist in Surrey
Surrey’s mild, damp coastal microclimate makes it a perfect environment for overwintering pests. Homes with basements, crawl spaces, and garden access provide easy entry points and ideal conditions for survival.
Unlike summer infestations, winter pests often go unnoticed until populations grow large enough to cause visible damage or health concerns.
How Total Pest Control Ltd Protects Surrey Homes Year-Round
At Total Pest Control Ltd, a locally owned and operated pest control company in Surrey, we understand that winter pest problems require a proactive, science-based approach. Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system combines inspection, exclusion, and targeted treatments to keep pests from entering in the first place.
Here’s how we help Surrey homeowners stay protected all winter long:
- Comprehensive Home Inspections: Identify hidden entry points and nesting sites.
- Rodent & Insect Control: Safe, effective treatments customized for your home.
- Exclusion & Prevention Plans: Long-term sealing and maintenance to prevent re-infestation.
- Eco-Friendly Solutions: Treatments that protect your family, pets, and the environment.
As a certified local expert, our technicians are trained to identify Surrey’s most common pest species and provide long-term, safe solutions tailored to local conditions.
Keep Your Surrey Home Pest-Free This Winter
Winter should be about comfort, not pests. Whether you’re hearing scratching in the walls, finding droppings, or noticing an increase in insect activity, it’s best to act quickly.
Don’t let winter pests take over your home. Whether you’re in Surrey, Delta, Langley, Burnaby, or Richmond, Total Pest Control Ltd offers fast, reliable, and science-backed pest management that keeps your home safe year-round.
Call today to schedule your winter pest inspection and secure your peace of mind before the next cold front hits.