Hampton Roads Cold Snap: What It Could Mean for Pests Around Your Home

​With colder weather settling into Hampton Roads ahead of the weekend, you may already be thinking about protecting your outdoor plants or making sure exposed pipes are ready for lower temperatures.

But have you considered what the sudden drop in temperature could mean for pest activity around your home?

According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Frost Advisories are in effect for Newport News and Suffolk from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2026. Temperatures could fall to around 32°F to 33°F in those communities. Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and other parts of Hampton Roads will also experience colder weather this weekend, although temperatures will vary across the region.

Colder weather can influence where pests seek shelter and how active they are outdoors. But a brief cold snap doesn't mean every pest will suddenly head indoors. Some may already be living in protected areas around your home, while others can remain active inside regardless of the temperature.

​Will This Weekend's Cold Snap Drive Mice and Rats Indoors?

Mice and rats stay active throughout the winter, and homes provide something they need as outdoor conditions become less favorable: dependable shelter.

Attics, crawl spaces, garages, and wall voids offer protection from cold temperatures and wind. If rodents also have access to food and water, they can remain in these areas regardless of the weather outside.

However, rodents don't necessarily wait for the first frost to enter a home.

A mouse discovered in your garage this weekend may have slipped inside recently or may have been living there for weeks. Scratching noises coming from the attic could indicate rodents that have already established a nesting area.

If you've recently noticed droppings, nighttime scratching, or other evidence of mice and rats, Getem Services can help determine what's happening. Our rodent control services include inspections to identify activity and potential entry points, followed by recommendations for addressing the problem.

Contact Getem to request a free rodent control quote, or call (757) 489-8610.

What About Other Household Pests?

Rodents aren't the only pests affected by falling temperatures. Some cockroaches may seek more protected spaces, while outdoor ant activity generally slows as conditions cool. Spiders already living indoors may continue to be active, even when it's cold outside.

Different pests respond to seasonal changes in different ways, and a few chilly nights won't necessarily eliminate those already living in or around your home.

For a closer look at how temperatures affect specific pests, see how winter weather impacts pests in Hampton Roads.

Noticing Pest Activity as Temperatures Drop?

Whether you've recently discovered a pest or have been noticing activity for a while, don't assume the colder weather will take care of the problem.

Scratching noises above the ceiling, droppings in a garage or storage area, and repeated insect sightings indoors may indicate activity that warrants professional attention.

Not every pest sighting means there's an infestation. But if you're hearing scratching noises, finding droppings, or repeatedly encountering pests indoors, it's worth finding out what's happening. Getem Services can inspect your home, identify the source of the activity, and recommend the appropriate next steps before the problem has more time to develop.

Get Professional Pest Control in Hampton Roads

If you're concerned about mice, rats, or other unwanted pests as temperatures drop, Getem Services can help.

Our locally owned, family-operated company has served Hampton Roads since 1922, providing professional pest control for homeowners in Newport News, Suffolk, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and surrounding communities.

We offer specialized rodent control for existing mouse and rat problems, along with ongoing residential pest control covering many common household pests.

If colder weather has you thinking about pest activity around your home, now is a good time to explore a pest control plan with Getem.

Contact us to request a free pest control quote, or call (757) 489-8610 to speak with our team.