5 common spring pests

As temperatures reach the 50s and 60s, it’s entirely reasonable to rejoice in the beginning of spring; however, it is also important to be aware of the many pests it brings with it. For example, if you haven’t noticed the first signs of mosquitoes yet, you will soon. Hibernating insects are as aware of climate changes as we are, and will start to move much more forcefully in the coming weeks.

Here are the 5 common spring pests and what to expect when they arrive.

An Overview of 5 Common Spring Pests

1. Flies – Many types of flies appear in early spring. One of the most common you’ll find indoors are fruit flies, the tiny flying insects that normally gather around ripe fruit or other food sources. Although they can’t harm you, they are annoying and can quickly turn into an infestation if you don’t remove the food source. If you start noticing a lot of them or their pupae in your food, you probably have an infestation. In this case, it is strongly recommended to contact the experienced pest control professionals at Black Diamond for consultation.
2. Carpenter ants: When it gets hotter, carpenter ants waste no time building their permanent residence. The problem? They often use their house as a building material! If left untreated, tunneling carpenter ants can seriously damage the structural integrity of your home. Signs of a carpenter ant infestation include wood debris, strange cracking sounds, and dead ants.
3. Mosquitoes – Mosquitoes suck, right? Like clockwork, they appear when it starts to heat up, silently leaving red, itchy bites in inconvenient places. They can also spread harmful diseases, like West Nile virus and more. Prevention usually involves removing standing water from gutters and yards and using bug spray, but if mosquitoes are still bothering you or seem to be infesting your space, calling 877-DEAD-BUG is the next step!
4. Stinging Insects: Red jackets, hornets, yellow jackets and other stinging insects emerge in the spring to wreak havoc at children’s birthday parties and other outdoor events. Beyond being a frightening nuisance, these bugs can infest your home. Signs of an infestation include hearing loud buzzing sounds, finding a visible nest, or seeing lots of flying insects. Biting insects can be very dangerous in large groups and should be handled by a pest control professional who knows how to do the job safely.
5. Termites – Termites thrive in the warm, humid temperatures of spring. As the climate begins to change, the “silent destroyers” go to work, chewing through wood and cellulose-based plant materials. Whether inside your house or in your backyard, termites often go unnoticed due to their silent and highly structured colonies. Termite signs include hollow-sounding wood, visible mud tubes, and discarded wings. If left untreated, termites can be hugely devastating to homeowners.

If you think you may be experiencing an infestation, contact the experienced pest control professionals at Black Diamond.