Common Overwintering Insects in Manatee County
Here are some of the most common pests you might see overwintering in homes or yards around Manatee County:
1. Cockroaches
- Several cockroach species remain active through winter.
- Their preferred hiding spots: dark, damp areas like kitchens, basements, garages, or inside cardboard boxes.
- Specifically, the Florida woods cockroach is understood to prefer outdoor crevices (under logs, bark, etc.), but it may wander inside when sheltered spots are available.
2. Ants
- Common ant species (like fire ants or carpenter ants) stay active and sometimes enter homes seeking food or warmth.
- Carpenter ants, like Camponotus floridanus, nest in wood, dead trees, or even structural cavities.
3. Termites
- Termites don’t shut down in the winter — subterranean termites burrow deeper into soil, while drywood termites may stay inside walls or wood elements.
- Because termite activity continues, winter can be a good time to check for signs: mud tubes, hollow-sounding wood, or discarded wings.
4. Silverfish
- Silverfish thrive in dark and damp places (think bathrooms, basements, or attics) and stay active even when it’s cooler outside.
- They feed on paper, fabric, and other starchy material — which puts stored items at risk.
5. Bed Bugs
- These pests don’t hibernate. They stay active year-round — winter can even increase their activity since people gather more indoors.
- Travel around the holidays or guests can bring bed bugs inside, and once they’re in, they continue feeding and multiplying.
6. Other Insects / Less Common Overwinterers
- Leaf-footed bugs, such as Leptoglossus phyllopus, are present in the southern U.S. including Florida. While not always a winter invader, they can hide in plant debris or other sheltered places.
- Barklice like Archipsocus nomas might be found on tree trunks or branches, hiding in webs under bark or in other concealed spots.
- There’s also an interesting parasitoid wasp species, Evania appendigaster, mentioned in the Manatee County Master Gardener newsletter. These wasps are harmless and actually prey on cockroach eggs.
Risks & Impacts for Homeowners in Manatee County
- Structural Damage: Termites and carpenter ants can weaken wood structures over time.
- Health Concerns: Cockroaches spread allergens; bed bugs bite and stress homeowners.
- Nuisance: Even if not harmful, insects like silverfish or roaches are unsettling and may contaminate stored items.
- Hidden Activity: Because many overwintering bugs stay tucked away in walls or attics, infestations can grow stealthily.