7 most common UK winter pests
As winter rolls around, so does a whole new host of animals and bugs that love to take shelter in our home from the winter chill.
While that’s all well and good, it becomes an issue when the number of pests we’re finding in our home exceeds the normal amount. One or two spiders throughout winter? Not a big deal. But a horde of them? That’s when you need to act quickly.
Today, we’ll run through the types of pests you’re likely to find in UK homes during winter and quick ways to handle the problem before it gets out of hand.
Are you past the point of home remedies? Call us up today, and we’ll have one of our professional pest removers come out to your property as soon as possible.
Why pests spike in winter
Like us, animals and bugs seek warmth in the winter, a warm place to breed, hibernate, and protect themselves from the winter frost.
Unfortunately for us, that means finding shelter in our homes, disrupting our food, furniture, and peace of mind. However, there are a few more factors that come into play here:
- Food gets scarce outdoors: With most prey also finding shelter and natural food sources thinning out, rodents and squirrels look for easier meals and stable shelter in lofts, wall cavities, bin stores and garages.
- Heating creates perfect “micro-climates” for insects: When the heating starts to come on, warm pipes and plant rooms become hotspots for cockroaches, which are often found around ducts and centrally heated areas.
- Drains and building fabric offer ready-made entry routes. Damaged pipework, redundant drains, and gaps in walls provide the perfect entry points for rats and mice. That’s why it’s so important to stay on top of your drainage systems.
The most common winter pests in the UK
As you can see, there are several reasons why pests use your home as a hiding spot during winter. And with how harsh UK weather can be, who can blame them, really?
But that doesn’t mean you have to stand for it! Especially if you’re dealing with larger pests, such as squirrels and rats. So, what pests do you need to keep an eye out for this winter, and how can you deal with them before the issue begins to worsen?
1. Rats
As temperatures fall, rats search for warm places to rest, breed, and feed. You’ll find rats scurrying around bins in search of food sources, burrowing into cracks in the wall, or trying to enter your cupboards.
The most common type of rat you’ll find in UK homes is the brown rat. These are notorious for hiding out in attics and basements, causing a ruckus. They’re also known to chew through electrical wires and drywall, which can cause obvious safety issues.
Plus, they’re known to carry diseases such as leptospirosis and can cause salmonella.
What to do now:
- Avoid sweeping droppings; dampen and wipe them up instead
- Tidy food waste
- Secure bin areas
- Seal low entry points around pipes
- Add a non-return valve to the drainage system
- Avoid DIY baits, as these can make the issue harder to solve
Call us for rat pest control if you’re experiencing nightly activity.
2. Mice
Field mice start to look for warm places to rest as the winter frost begins to settle.
House mice are also another common culprit for causing a fuss in your home, and if they aren’t dealt with quickly, the population can grow rapidly. You’ll find them hiding out in kitchen cupboards, gaps in the walls, airing cupboards, and huddling in loft insulation.
Look for small spindle-shaped droppings, shredded paper or fabric, and scratching in voids.
What to do now:
- Conceal gaps and cracks in the walls with wire wool and filler
- Tidy up loft spaces
- Fill any burrows around your home
- Store dry goods and pet food in sealed containers
- Avoid scatter poison use, as this can cause bait shyness and odours
Call us for mice pest control in Liverpool today.
3. Cluster flies
Flies are annoying any time of the year, but cluster flies become more of an issue during the wintertime.
Similar to other pests, they seek shelter when the temperature drops, contaminating our food, buzzing around our homes, and disrupting the peace. These sluggish flies overwinter in roof voids and wall cavities, then reappear on bright winter or early-spring days.
You’ll most likely find them gathering together around windows and in your loft.
What to do now:
- Seal gaps around windows and loft hatches to keep them out
- Fit fine insect mesh to the loft and wall vents
- Fill gaps around cables and pipes
- Vacuum and remove any flies lying around
4. Grey squirrels
Grey squirrels often move into eaves and lofts during the colder months, chewing through timbers and cables and making a racket during the day.
However, since these little guys are actually an invasive species, they can’t be released back into the wild once caught, meaning it’s best to leave their capture to a professional. That way, they’ll be able to remove them according to the rules.
Bird feeders and unsealed bins will attract these to your home, as they look for easy food sources during winter.
What to do now:
- Don’t block holes while squirrels are trapped inside, as this will cause damage and welfare issues
- Trim overhanging branches near entry points like windows and doors
- Install squirrel-proof bird feeders
- Fix roofline gaps and loose soffits/fascias, then proof with metal mesh or plates
- Fit a stainless-steel chimney cowl or cap with appropriate mesh
You’ll need professional help to catch and remove squirrels, and we can assist with that through our squirrel pest control services.
5. Bed bugs
People spend more time indoors and travel for work, uni or the festive period, and bedbugs hitchhike in luggage and fabrics. That’s why we often see a rise in winter and early spring.
Bedbugs tend to congregate around mattresses, seams, and headboards, appearing as small, dark spots on the surface. You’ll notice lines or clusters of bites on your skin, which can cause itchiness while sleeping.
They also breed quickly, leaving tiny white eggs on your furniture.
What to do now:
- Bag, hot-wash (60°C) and heat-dry affected bedding and clothes
- Reduce clutter in your bedroom and get rid of dust and grime
- Vacuum seams and bed frames
- Inspect second-hand furniture before bringing it into your home
- Fit a full mattress and base encasement to stop bugs from spreading
If you’re dealing with a bed bug problem, address the issue straight away. We can help you with our bed bug pest control.
6. House spiders
Spiders are found in UK homes during every season, but you may find that they increase in number during winter.
During winter, males roam indoors in search of females to mate with, getting in through gaps and cracks. While most UK spiders are harmless, having them in our homes can cause distress and disrupt our comfort.
You may spot webs around your home or see them resting in the corners of ceilings or scurrying across floors.
What to do now:
- Seal any gaps in walls
- Vacuum up any cobwebs
- Keep your home free of dead insects, like flies, to kill their food source
- Fit brush strips to the bottom of doors
- Switch to LEDs instead of incandescent/CFL bulbs to attract fewer insects
7. Clothes moths
No one likes holes in their clothes. If your favourite jumper suddenly has gaping holes in it, you may be dealing with a clothes moth.
These moths enter warm homes and lay their larvae on fabrics. In fact, it’s the larvae that feed on wool, cashmere, and other animal fibres in carpets and knitwear, not the adults. And once they mate, the numbers grow rapidly.
What to do now:
- Vacuum along the skirting boards, edges, and under furniture regularly
- Freeze infested items in sealed bags at −18 °C for at least two weeks
- Store woollens in airtight bags or containers
- Use mothballs and repellent sprays to kill moths and their eggs
- Hot wash and steam your clothes for 49–60 °C for 30+ minutes
Call Premier Pest Control today
The quicker you spot the signs, the less work there will be needed to remove them, saving you a lot of time and hassle.
If you’ve heard scratching, found droppings, or spotted bites or insects around warm pipe runs, we’re ready to help across Liverpool and the North West.
Call us today for our Liverpool pest control, or leave a message so we can get back to you. We offer constant support with same-day services and an emergency service for when you can’t wait.