Insects are an inevitable part of warm weather. Every year, the very same bugs appear, buzzing and bumbling where you don’t want them. Even a long Texas winter can’t deter these persistent pests. Have you ever wondered how they manage to make it through the same weather that had you shivering in your boots?
Migration
Perhaps the most obvious way to avoid freezing is to skip winter entirely. Like birds, some insect species simply take a vacation and come back when the warm weather returns.
Freeze Tolerance
Some insects have a unique protein in their bodies that acts almost like antifreeze. These “cryptoprotectant” compounds serve to lower the freezing temperature of the insects’ bodies and are triggered by the environmental changes that signal an oncoming winter, such as shorter days and cooler temperatures.
Lying “Dormant”
Insects can weather the winter in a variety of forms. Some snuggle up in cocoons, spending the season as pupae. Others burrow under leaves and soil as larvae only to emerge and mature come springtime; water bug nymphs may do the same thing. Even adult insects take shelter in warm places such as the hollows of trees, the undersides of logs and rocks, and the eaves of houses.
Communal Warmth
Huddling together for warmth works for insects just like it does for people. Bugs that live in communities, such as bees, ants and termites, stick close throughout the winter to prevent each other from freezing. They also keep enough food nearby to last until spring.
Change in Body Contents
Certain bugs can lower the freezing temperature of their bodies by deliberately dehydrating. Going into winter with an empty stomach also prevents the internal formation of ice crystals.
All of these unique strategies mean that the pests you faced last year will be back again as the temperatures rise. While some insect activity is normal, the specialists at ABC Home & Commercial Services in Austin are trained to help you deal with situations that require pest control. If your Austin-area home becomes overrun by ants, wasps, cockroaches or other unpleasant “guests,” give us a call or visit our website for a fast, reliable resolution.