“Spring showers bring May flowers,” they say, but for homeowners spring also brings pests.
The Bug Barometer, a seasonal forecast of pest pressure and activity in the U.S. released biannually by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), predicts residual winter moisture and wet weather ahead will cause pest populations to spike this spring all the way through summer. The most common spring pests in the contiguous United States include ticks, mosquitoes, ants, termites, cockroaches, stinging insects, flies, rodents and earwigs or springtails.
The Dangers of Spring Pests
More than being unwelcome visitors, spring pests can also be dangerous to have around. Aside from being a nuisance, they also transmit diseases and cause costly property damage. For example, an NPMA report states “termites alone cause over $5 billion in property damage annually, a cost not covered by homeowners insurance.”
Pest-Proofing for Spring
April is National Pest Management Month, and it’s a timely reminder for homeowners to be vigilant in preparing for and preventing pests from ruining your springtime cheer. Here are some tips to proofing your home and garden against the most common spring pests.
Ticks
These small parasitic arachnids, potential carriers of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and many other diseases, oftentimes sit in tall grasses waiting for their next victim.
So, regularly cut the grass low, and wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed-toe shoes when outdoors. Apply bug repellent with at least 20% DEET for an extra layer of protection against stinging insects.
Before going inside the house, check your whole body—as well as your pet—for any ticks, which you can remove with tweezers. Then throw your clothes into a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill the ticks.
Mosquitoes
Like ticks, these pesky bugs also carry various diseases, such as malaria, dengue and Zika virus. They thrive in stagnant water, so eliminate any possible breeding areas in your house and yard, including birdbaths and clogged gutters. Protective clothing and insect repellant will also work to prevent mosquito bites when going outside.
Termites
Chewing through your flooring, wallpaper and other wood items, termites can damage your home without your knowledge. Drawn to moist, secluded areas, these “silent destroyers” can be stopped by installing gutters, splash blocks, and downspouts that divert water from your home’s foundation. Removing wood or mulch from contacting your house’s exterior will also help.
Flies
Flies are notorious for contaminating food and transmitting diseases, such as tuberculosis and Salmonella. To prevent flies, regularly remove garbage in well-sealed containers.
Rodents
Mice and rats are known carriers of the plague, typhus, jaundice and more. They can squeeze through holes and tight spaces, so seal any cracks that they can use to enter your home.
Welcome Spring Pest-Free
If you suspect any pests living in your attic or yard, it’s important to act quickly. Being able to seek the help of professionals can help prevent or get rid of pests at the first sign of infestation.
Call us today and get the professional pest control help you need. We offer a warranty on all our work, keeping the bugs and rodents away in-between our monthly servicing.
