The most common winter pests in homes are house mice and rats, cockroaches and spiders. Cold weather sends mice and rats looking for warm shelter, while cockroaches and spiders that already live indoors become easier to notice as families spend more time inside. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company that handles all of these winter pests. Below is what each of these pests looks for in winter and what you can do about it.
Mice and Rats
Mice and rats are the winter pests most likely to move into a home, because walls, attics and crawl spaces give them warmth and nesting space close to food. They need very little room to get in: mice can fit through a hole the width of a pencil, about a quarter inch across. Check around pipes, vents, utility lines, doors, roof eaves and the foundation, then seal small gaps with steel wool and caulk and larger ones with metal sheeting, cement or hardware cloth. Saela’s rodent exclusion service works the same way: it inspects for access points, repairs openings and places traps for rodents still inside.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches found indoors in winter are often German cockroaches, a species that lives inside buildings and stays active in heated rooms whatever the weather outside. UC IPM’s guide to cockroaches notes that German cockroaches prefer kitchens, bathrooms and food preparation areas, favoring warm, humid spots around 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Fix leaks under sinks, store food in sealed containers, take out trash often and seal the cracks where they hide. If they persist, Saela’s cockroach control for German cockroaches uses gel baits, crack-and-crevice applications, monitoring devices and a follow-up visit.
Spiders
Most spiders you notice indoors in winter are common house spiders living in basements, attics, closets and other quiet corners. UC IPM’s spider guide notes that spiders are mostly beneficial because they feed on pest insects, and that regular vacuuming of windows, room corners, storage areas and basements removes spiders and their webs. Reducing clutter and sealing gaps around windows and doors leaves them fewer places to hide. A few species, such as the black widow, can cause a serious bite, so learn what to do if you’re bitten by a spider.
Why Pest Control Still Matters in Winter
Seasons change which pests you notice, but rodents, cockroaches and spiders can live indoors all year, so prevention works best as part of routine home maintenance. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection covering entry points, attics and basements. Those are the same places winter pests use to get in and settle.
If you’re seeing droppings, gnaw marks or cockroaches this winter, start with an inspection. In a February 2024 Google review, Terry Sotta wrote, “Justin is quick, thorough, checks to determine if we have any issues & addresses them.” Plans and visit frequency vary, so compare Saela’s plans and pricing, then book a call to schedule a winter pest inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do mice get into a house in winter?
Mice usually get into a house through gaps around pipes, utility lines, vents, doors, roof eaves and the foundation. They can fit through an opening about a quarter inch wide, so sealing small gaps before cold weather is the main prevention step. For more on seasonal behavior, see where pests go in the winter.
Is it worth scheduling pest control in winter?
Winter is a practical time for pest control because rodents are actively looking for shelter, and finding their entry points early keeps a few mice from becoming a larger problem. A winter inspection can identify entry points, nesting sites and moisture problems so they can be fixed before spring. On Google, Saela’s Denver, Colorado location is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 495 reviews as of October 2026.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
