Spring pests are part of nature’s awakening after the long winter. Warmer temperatures and standing water from heavy rain wake up pests and send them looking to mate and for food and shelter.
April is National Pest Management Month (NPMM), according to Pestworld.org. NPPM is “an annual observance recognized by Chase’s Calendar of Events highlighting the vital role pest control plays in protecting public health, food, and property from the threats posed by pests. This month, the National Pest Management Association is reminding consumers of the importance of working with a licensed pest control professional if they have an infestation.
“You might not think about it, but pest control professionals play a vital role in protecting our homes and families, as well as public health and our nation’s food supply,” said Cindy Mannes, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for NPMA. “Without their expertise and knowledge, our quality of life would be diminished, and we’d see a lot more pests in public places.”
Accurate Pest Control is a fully licensed and insured, family-owned and operated business. We are here to keep you, your home, and your family safe and pest free.
4 spring pests you should know
We are often asked about spring pests and which are the most common. Below are the four most common springtime pests that we treat:
Carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are large, shiny, black, and yellow bees. You will find them flying around the outside of your home, searching for wood. These bees live up to their name. Female carpenter bees have strong, sharp teeth. They drill and bore into wood in perfectly symmetrical and tubular holes. Here they will lay their eggs. Carpenter bees love wood and prefer clean, untreated, and unpainted wood.
- Carpenter bees do not eat the wood like termites. They just drill through the wood, and you may find sawdust near the opening of the holes.
- Females create these tubes or holes to lay their eggs.
- Carpenter bees look like bumblebees, but their bellies are shiny and hairless.
- Male carpenter bees do not have stingers; females do but do not use them unless threatened.
Ladybugs. Gardeners often welcome ladybugs to the yard. They eat small worms, aphids, and other garden pests. Often drawn to the scent of certain herbs such as dill, they gather around your home from early spring to early fall. In search of warmth, ladybugs enter your home through a tiny crack in a window or door. Soon, the word gets out, and you may find dozens to hundreds of ladybugs.
Ladybugs do not eat or chew on furniture or clothing. But ladybugs can be destructive and appear in large numbers when searching for a hibernation spot. If the ladybugs feel threatened, they can secrete a yellow liquid that may stain light-colored surfaces. Homeowners complain about these stains on drapery, blinds, and windowsills.
Termite swarmers. Termite swarmers are winged termites whose sole purpose is to reproduce and breed to create new colonies. The swarm is composed of the strongest and most sexually mature male and female winged termites. The swarming season plays a critical part in the life cycle of termites.
Most homeowners have not seen any termites before witnessing the swarm. Our technicians are often sent to a home because the homeowner called about flying carpenter ants when upon inspection, they are swarming termites. The swarm itself does not cause damage but once established; the newly created colony will.
Cluster flies. Often confused with the standard house fly, cluster flies are more substantial in size and nowhere near as quick. Often called attic flies, cluster flies, as the name implies, live in large groups in the warmth of your attic, crawl space, or storage closet. They do not reproduce but hibernate, waiting for the warmth of springtime to call them back to the outdoors.
Cluster flies are considered an annoyance but not a danger to the structure of your home. Once inside your attic or crawlspace, these clusters of flies can hibernate in large numbers. Often found on the western facing or southern exposure sides of your attic, cluster flies are drawn to the warmth inside your home. If the attic or crawl space temperature rises, the flies may start to migrate out, thinking it is spring.
- Cluster flies often release a sweetish odor when alarmed or killed.
- Dead cluster flies inside your home during the winter months function as a food source for rodents and other insects.
- These flies sometimes leave tiny dark-colored spots of excrement on walls or windows, but these spots are not known to carry any human disease-causing organisms.
Tips to prepare for spring pest season
To help consumers get prepared for peak pest season this spring and summer, NPMA is recommending the following expert tips:
- Prevent termites by installing downspouts, gutters, and splash blocks to divert water away from the foundation. Be sure to eliminate mulch or wood contact with the structure’s exterior.
- Prevent mosquitoes by removing sources of moisture around the property, as this pest only needs half an inch of water to reproduce.
- Prevent flies by regularly removing garbage and using well-sealed receptacles to help deter this pest from coming indoors.
- Prevent rodents by sealing any cracks throughout your property with an appropriate sealant.
- Prevent cockroaches by practicing proper sanitation. Avoid letting dishes pile up in the kitchen, and be sure to wipe down counters to keep them free of food debris.
How can I keep spring pests out of my house?
Prevention is the key, and as discussed above, a maintenance plan with Accurate Pest Control ensures consistent treatment and regular inspection of your property by a trained professional technician. Preventative spraying now can help with reoccurrence.
Contact us in Albany, Schenectady, or Saratoga, New York, for a free home estimate. Ask us for information on annual maintenance agreements and keep your home or business healthy and pest free!
Resources: About the National Pest Management Association
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,500 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. For more information, visit PestWorld.org.
