“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.

Eastern Subterranean Termites are a serious issue in Maryland. The average cost of termite related damages in the US equals over 5 billion dollars annually. Termites cause more damage to homes in the US than fires, floods, storms and severe winds combined.

Bed bugs aren’t easy to find, and their bites aren’t easy to diagnose. People react differently to the bites. Some are left with bite marks, others with rashes and others have no reactions at all. Bed bug bites can easily be confused with spider bites or rashes, but experienced pest control technicians are trained to find and control infestations. Since bed bugs like to hide, one of the first signs of an infestation is usually the fecal matter. Bed bugs leave behind rusty reddish-black marks and fecal spots on sheets, pillows, mattresses and just about any surface close to where they’re feeding. Bed bugs usually feed about 3 times a night, resulting in multiple bite marks and lots of feces. Bed bug cases will also be found when they shed their exoskeletons as they grow. Eggs are laid every night in mattress folds. The bed bugs themselves hide in box springs, mattresses, outlet covers, rugs and just about any tight spot close to the feeding sites. Populations grow fast and can easily be transferred from one area to the next. If you’ve traveled recently, you’re at risk of carrying bed bugs back into your home. Once they’re in your home, an extensive treatment is needed to get rid of them. If you feel you might have bed bugs, contact On The Fly to schedule an inspection.