The arrival of spring brings warmer weather, flowers, and bugs. As temperatures rise, bugs begin to emerge from their winter hiding spots and eggs start to hatch. To protect your home from these pests, you need to know what you’re up against. Check out seven pests that are likely to bug you this spring and a few tips to help control them.
1. Ants
Ants are a common home-invading pest. There are many species of ants, and they vary in size and color. In spring, worker ants leave the nest to forage for food. When they find something to eat, like crumbs in your home, they release pheromones that help them find their way back and lead other ants to the food source. This can quickly result in an infestation.
Tips for Controlling Ants
- To keep ants from marching into your home, you’ll want to remove potential food sources. Thoroughly clean your space, making sure to remove crumbs, spills, and sticky residues.
- Ant baits are an effective solution when dealing with an infestation. Ants eat the bait and carry it back to the nest, allowing it to spread through the colony. This will help to eliminate the source of the infestation.
2. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes thrive in the warm conditions of spring. When temperatures stay consistently above 50 °F, mosquitoes will remain active. Several species can be found throughout the United States. Female mosquitoes feed on blood, causing red, itchy bumps. These pests breed in standing water and gravitate to shaded, damp areas.
Tips for Controlling Mosquitoes
- To prevent mosquitoes, you’ll want to minimize standing water in your yard. Empty items that have collected water. Make sure your gutters are clean and working properly. Regularly replace water in kiddie pools, pet bowls, and birdbaths.
- When you spend time outside, use a plant-based bug spray like our Natural Insect Repellent. It repels mosquitoes, ticks, and flies. You can also spray your yard with our Mosquito & Tick Killer. It kills these pests on contact and provides residual repellency.
3. Ticks
Ticks pop up in spring too. Like ants and mosquitoes, there are several tick species that can cause problems. Ticks hang out in wooded and grassy areas. They like to hide in brush and vegetation close to the ground or on tall grass. They wait for a host to walk by and will latch onto them. Ticks can remain on their host feeding for several days.
Tips for Controlling Ticks
- Keep your grass cut short and work to remove leaf litter, grass clippings, and other debris these pests can use as shelter.
- When spending time outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to keep ticks off of you. When you head inside, check for ticks on you and your furry family members. If you find one, you’ll want to carefully remove it. Our Natural Insect Repellent can also help to repel ticks.
4. Wasps
Paper wasps and yellow jackets will start buzzing around in spring. Queens are tasked with building a new colony and finding a place for their nest. Paper wasps construct their umbrella-shaped nests on tree branches, in shrubs, and on homes. Yellow jackets typically build their nests underground. Spotting several of these stinging insects can be an indicator that a nest is nearby.
Tips for Controlling Wasps
- Wasps are attracted to sugary drinks and food. If eating outside, keep your food and drinks covered to avoid attracting these pests.
- You can carefully treat wasps and their nests with our Wasp & Hornet Killer. Spray the entry point to the nest and then coat the rest of the nest with the foaming jet spray. It’s best to treat the nest at dusk, night, or just before dawn when wasps are less active.
5. Flies
Flies are another common pest in spring. Houseflies and fruit flies are attracted to food in your home. Fruit flies feed and lay eggs on overripe produce. Cluster flies are an overwintering pest that sneak into homes in fall and remain dormant until spring. When temperatures rise, these pests will emerge from their hiding spot in your home.
Tips for Controlling Flies
- To protect your home from cluster flies, you’ll want to examine your home for cracks or holes where these pests could enter and seal any you find. Don’t forget to check your door and window screens for tears.
- Removing trash from your home can help to keep flies away. You’ll also want to avoid leaving overripe produce on your counters.
- To spot treat flies, spray them with our Flying Insect Killer. It kills flies on contact and provides residual repellency.
6. Fleas
Fleas can leave your pets with itchy bites in spring. These pests hang out in warm and humid environments. In your yard, they hide in overgrown vegetation, tall grass, and yard debris. When your pet gets close to them, they will hop onto them and hitch a ride inside.
Tips for Controlling Fleas
- Check your pets regularly for fleas to catch a problem early. Giving your pets a bath will make it easier to spot these pests and can help to remove them.
- Your pet’s veterinarian can help you come up with a plan to protect your pets from fleas. They can give you advice on preventative treatment options and help to treat your pets if they have fleas.
- Vacuuming can help to kick fleas out of your home. Be sure to seal the bag and place it in an outdoor trash bin. You can also spray areas where fleas have been seen with our Bed Bug & Flea Killer. While this can be used to treat areas where your pets hang out, it should not be sprayed on your pets.
7. Cockroaches
Cockroaches love the warmth that spring provides. They scurry into homes in search of food and moisture. You’re most likely to spot these pests in your kitchen or bathroom. There are several species of cockroaches, but the most common include the American, German, oriental, brown-banded, and smokybrown cockroach.
Tips for Controlling Cockroaches
- Minimizing food sources in your home will help to prevent cockroaches. Sweep, mop, and vacuum to clean up crumbs and spills. Wipe down your counters, and keep your sink free of dirty dishes.
- Cockroaches prefer damp environments, so keeping your home dry can help to deter them. Repair or replace leaky pipes or dripping faucets. Wipe up water around your sink. Consider using a dehumidifier or fan in areas of your home prone to dampness.
- If you’re dealing with a cockroach infestation, our Roach Killer Gel Bait can help. It attracts and kills common household cockroaches.
Spring is great, but it also means that bug season is here. Knowing what pests are likely to show up can help you prepare for their arrival. If spring pests are bugging you, we’re here to help! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.