Cooler January Temps Push Pests Indoors
While Arizona winters are mild, January brings colder overnight temperatures that drive pests toward warmth and shelter. Instead of disappearing, many pests become more noticeable indoors.
Common January invaders include:
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Scorpions
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Spiders
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Cockroaches
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Rodents
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Crickets
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Ants
Garages, laundry rooms, bathrooms, closets, and wall voids are especially attractive during this time. Even small gaps around doors or foundations can become entry points.
Post-Holiday Storage Is a Major Risk Factor
After the holidays, decorations are often packed away quickly — sometimes without inspection — and stored in garages, sheds, or closets where pests are already active.
January issues often come from:
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Scorpions hiding beneath storage bins or stacked boxes
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Spiders nesting in wreaths, garlands, and fabric décor
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Cockroaches tucked into cardboard seams
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Rodents chewing through boxes or nesting in storage areas
When those items are moved weeks later, pests are disturbed and migrate into living spaces.
Tip: January is the perfect time to re-organize storage and switch décor into sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard.
Leftover Cardboard Lingers After the Holidays
While deliveries peak in December, cardboard tends to pile up and sit around in January. Unfortunately, cardboard is one of the biggest pest attractants.
It provides:
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Warmth
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Shelter
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Easy hiding spots
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Nesting material
Roaches, spiders, beetles, and even scorpions can hide beneath or inside boxes. Breaking down and removing cardboard promptly can significantly reduce indoor pest activity.
The January Scorpion Myth: “They Should Be Gone by Now”
Many homeowners assume that if they made it through December without seeing a scorpion, they’re in the clear. That’s not how scorpions behave.
What Scorpions Actually Do in January
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They slow down but remain active
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They seek warmth inside structures
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They move through plumbing walls, garages, and storage areas
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They may cluster in protected spaces
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They continue hunting prey like crickets and roaches
This is why January scorpion sightings commonly occur in bathrooms, laundry rooms, closets, and bedrooms.
January Is a Prime Time for Prevention
The New Year is the ideal time to reset and protect your home before spring pest activity ramps up.
Recommended January steps:
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Seal gaps around doors, windows, and foundations
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Install door sweeps and weather stripping
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Replace cardboard with sealed plastic storage bins
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Declutter garages and storage areas
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Reduce exterior lighting that attracts insects
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Maintain consistent, year-round pest control service
Waiting until pests are active outside often means they’ve already established themselves indoors.
Start the Year Pest-Free
January pests are sneaky, but they’re also predictable. If you’re noticing scorpions, spiders, roaches, rodents, or other unwanted guests after the holidays, it’s a sign your home needs winter protection, not spring treatment.
A proactive approach now helps prevent bigger problems later and keeps your home comfortable all winter long.
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