When people think of the Sonoran Desert, they often picture scorching summers and relentless sun. However, locals know that Tucson winters bring a distinct chill, especially once the sun sets behind the mountains. While we pull out our sweaters and turn on the heaters, the wildlife outside is doing the exact same thing: looking for a way to stay warm.
Unfortunately for homeowners, “staying warm” often translates to moving into your attic, garage, or wall voids.
Many residents mistakenly believe that pest control is only necessary during the active summer months. The reality is that winter is a prime season for infestation. Pests that are normally content outdoors become desperate for shelter, moisture, and food. Without proper prevention, your home can quickly become a winter resort for unwanted guests.
In this guide, we will explore the specific invaders common to Southern Arizona during the cooler months and explain how Arizona Pest Control—a staple of the Tucson community since 1947—can help you reclaim your space.
The Rodent Rush: Pack Rats and Mice
If there is one pest that defines Tucson living, it is the pack rat (woodrat). While they are active year-round, their behavior changes significantly when the temperature drops. Pack rats seek secure, insulated environments to build their middens (nests).
Why they are a threat
Pack rats are not just a nuisance; they are destructive. They are notorious for chewing through electrical wiring in vehicles, pool heaters, and attics, causing thousands of dollars in damage and posing significant fire hazards. Furthermore, their nests attract other pests, such as kissing bugs and brown recluse spiders.
House mice and roof rats are also common winter intruders. They can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, often entering through garage seals or gaps in rooflines. Once inside, they contaminate food sources and spread disease.
How to stop them
Rodent control requires a strategy known as “exclusion.” It is not enough to simply trap the rodents; you must seal the entry points to prevent them from returning. At Arizona Pest Control, we specialize in identifying these breach points and implementing long-term solutions to keep your home rodent-free.
The Silent Destroyers: Subterranean Termites
Termites do not hibernate. In fact, inside the temperature-controlled environment of your home, they are perfectly happy to eat 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The winter risk
In the desert soil, termites dig deeper to escape the surface cold. However, the soil beneath your home’s foundation is often warmer due to the heat radiating from the structure. This makes your foundation a prime target. Because they work from the inside of the wood out, significant structural damage can occur long before you ever see a swarm or a mud tube.
Professional detection is key
Termite detection requires a trained eye. As a company that has been protecting Southern Arizona for over 75 years, our technicians know exactly where to look. We provide comprehensive termite inspections and offer specialized treatments that create a protective barrier around your property.
Creepy Crawlies: Spiders and Scorpions
While insect activity generally slows down in winter, it doesn’t stop entirely. More importantly, the pests that are active are often moving indoors to escape the chill.
Bark Scorpions
Bark scorpions are unique among scorpions because they are known to congregate in groups, a behavior known as “aggregation,” during the winter to conserve moisture and warmth. Finding one scorpion in your home during the winter often signals that others are nearby. They often hide in shoes, piles of laundry, or dark closets.
Spiders
Black widows and brown recluses also seek shelter in garages, sheds, and undisturbed corners of the home. While they are generally not aggressive, accidental contact when moving boxes or holiday decorations can result in painful and dangerous bites.
The Cockroach Migration
Cockroaches are tropical insects by nature; they crave heat and humidity. The dry, cool winter air of Tucson drives them toward sewer lines and plumbing fixtures that lead into your home. The American Cockroach (often called the sewer roach) is a frequent visitor in bathrooms and kitchens during the cooler months.
Aside from the “ick” factor, roaches carry bacteria and allergens that can trigger asthma attacks and contaminate food preparation surfaces.
Why Choose Arizona Pest Control?
When you discover a pest problem, it is tempting to reach for a can of store-bought spray. However, DIY methods often treat the symptom rather than the disease, knocking down visible pests while the nest continues to thrive.
For effective, long-term management, you need a partner who understands the unique ecosystem of the Sonoran Desert. Here is why Tucson residents have trusted Arizona Pest Control for decades:
1. Deep Roots in the Community
We aren’t a faceless national chain. We are locally owned and family-operated. Our owner, Bruce Tennenbaum, started as a technician in 1978, and the company itself has been serving Tucson since 1947. We are your neighbors, and we are proud to be Veteran operated.
2. Environmentally Responsible Methods
We understand that your family’s safety is paramount. That is why we use the latest, most technologically advanced methods of pest elimination that minimize impact on the environment. We are children and pet-friendly, ensuring that we solve your pest problem without creating new safety concerns for your household.
3. Proven Expertise
We are voted Tucson’s #1 Pest Control & Termite Control Company for a reason. With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and the title of “Tucson’s largest locally owned pest management provider,” our reputation speaks for itself. Our technicians go beyond state licensing requirements, attending ongoing education to stay at the cutting edge of the industry.
4. Comprehensive Service Area
Whether you live in Oro Valley, Green Valley, Vail, Marana, or right in the heart of Tucson, our team is ready to serve you. We cover the entire Southern Arizona region.
Winter Pest Prevention Tips
While professional treatment is the most effective way to handle an infestation, there are steps you can take to make your home less attractive to invaders:
- Seal the perimeter: Check the weather stripping on your doors and windows. If you can see light coming through, a bug can get through.
- Manage moisture: Fix leaky faucets and ensure your landscaping irrigation isn’t creating puddles near the foundation.
- Clear the clutter: Move woodpiles and debris away from the walls of your home. These are favorite hiding spots for scorpions and spiders.
- Trim the trees: Keep tree branches trimmed back from the roofline to prevent rats from jumping onto your house.
Secure Your Home This Season
Don’t let pests get comfortable in your home this winter. Whether you are hearing scratching in the attic or seeing spiders in the garage, early intervention is the best way to prevent a small issue from becoming a major infestation.
At Arizona Pest Control, we offer free in-home evaluations to help you understand your specific risks. We invite you to experience the difference that over 75 years of local experience makes.
Call us today at 520-886-7378 to schedule your free, no-obligation evaluation. Let our family protect yours.