Who doesn’t love warm weather? When the sun comes out, we all go out too. But we aren’t alone. Spring season means pests are on the way. Spring break kicks off earlier now, which means there are more pests than usual outside, and they are out sooner than expected.
Why are There so Many Bugs Already?
If you haven’t noticed, we had an abnormally warm winter this season. Many cities across the US experienced their warmest winters, or at least this winter made it to the top 10 warmest since we started keeping records. While warm winters feel nice and get you outside more, it means pests don’t really go away, and some come back sooner.
Warm winters prompt an early spring. When winter weather is warm, humans, plants, pests, and animals all experience the consequences of abnormal surges in the mercury. The longer we experience pleasant spring weather, even if it’s during the winter months, the longer pests have to reproduce and invade. By the time summer hits, the populations will swell to abnormally high numbers. That’s a real bummer for you, your garden, your home, your kids, and your pets.
Worst Pests in Spring
Now that the warm winter is over and spring has arrived, you will notice these creeping, buzzing, and flying pests.
Mosquitoes - Mosquitoes are more than pests that leave itchy bumps. Mosquitoes spread diseases like West Nile, malaria, and Zika virus.
Ticks - Ticks transmit Lyme disease, babesiosis, tularemia, and ehrlichiosis. Ticks can transmit disease to both people and pets.
Spiders - House spiders will begin to emerge from their dark corners as the spring weather warms. They are not dangerous but they can be scary, as they can crawl across your walls, hang out in your clothes on the floor, and creep across your counters.
Ants - Once an ant finds your home, they are quick to invade and hard to control. Ants are attracted to the food in and around your home. Depending on the type of ants you have, you can have large colonies inside and outside.
Fleas - One trip outside can bring fleas into your home. Fleas bite people and pests, leaving areas of intense itching. In some cases, scratching flea bites can lead to secondary infections.
Ways to Prevent Spring Pests
Once spring pests arrive, they are difficult to control. Ways to prevent spring pests in and around your home are:
- Make sure your pets are up to date on flea and tick medications
- Seal off entry points around your home
- Clear debris, garbage, and yard clippings away from the outside of your home
- Keep food in airtight containers
- Clean your home often, focusing on vacuuming rugs and furniture, and washing linens in hot water
- Contact pest control professionals
American Pest Solutions doesn’t want you to hide from spring because you are overwhelmed by pests. Call now for an inspection, prevention plan, and control method so you can enjoy the warmer spring weather.