Hibernating and Active Winter Rodents

Ever stopped and wondered, “Do rodents hibernate?” The answer is a bit more complicated than just a single yes or no. Some rodents hunker down to hibernate during the cold winter months, while others stay active. At Greenix Pest Control, we deal with rodents and pests year-round, so we’ll give you the rundown on what to look out for this year when it comes to rodents in your home and yard.

Rodents That Hibernate During the Cold Months

A lot of the rodents you might see in your yard or outdoors will hibernate for the winter. These hibernations may begin in September or October and last for over six months. Expect to see fewer ground squirrels throughout the winter. If you have prairie dogs, meadow jumping mice, or chipmunks near your house, you probably won’t see them around much during the cold months. Although some hibernating rodents will occasionally go out for food, these rodents tend to stay low-activity in the winter. 

Although rodents that hibernate won’t be active during the winter, there’s still a risk that they may still cause damage to your lawn. These rodents will dig burrows to make a cozy winter home and may destroy your landscaping and create some ankle-twisting hazard-sized holes in the process. Year-round attention from pest control professionals can help you keep your lawn healthy and walkable. In the past year alone, 14.8 million Americans reported seeing rodents in their homes.

Active Rodents in the Winter Months

Trouble is, there are plenty of rodents that stay active in the winter. Many types of squirrels (including the American red squirrel, the eastern gray squirrel, and others), as well as rats, mice, and voles, will still be active and looking for warm places to hang out. Raccoons also often stay active if temperatures are mild enough.

When it comes to these rodents that stay active in the wintertime, you’ll want to keep a special eye out for them to sneak into your house. Although they don’t hibernate, they’re still looking for warmth and shelter, and it doesn’t take much for them to recognize your home as a great new place to stay. Keep an eye out for these rodents outside, too. Voles can continue to destroy your yard even as the winter rages on.

Unfortunately, some of these active winter rodents, like mice and rats, are some of the more serious household pests. They can carry diseases harmful to you and your pets and are generally very unhygienic to have in your home. If you do discover an infestation of rodent pests Greenix can help, whether it’s winter or the middle of July.

Keeping Your Home Pest and Rodent-Free Year-Round 

When it comes to rodent prevention, good housekeeping and a well-sealed exterior are essential for protecting your home. Regular preventive pest control treatments can also help protect your space from potential invasion. Additionally, there are also some preventive pest control solutions for protecting lawns from voles, ground squirrels, and similar outdoor pests. 

Whether you have a current infestation of household or lawn rodents or you’re looking for a way to safeguard your home as the winter temperatures creep in, Greenix has the safe and sustainability-focused rodent removal and prevention services you need. Contact us to get started with a free quote.