Seasonal Pest Guides: Understanding and Preventing Common Pests Year-Round

Pest activity varies significantly from season to season. Certain pests thrive in the warmer months, while others seek shelter in your home as temperatures drop. Knowing which pests to look out for in each season and understanding how to prevent infestations can save homeowners a lot of stress, time, and money. Here’s a guide to help you identify and manage common seasonal pests.

Spring: A Season of New Growth and Increased Pest Activity

As temperatures rise in spring, many pests come out of hibernation or eggs begin to hatch. Spring is a busy season for pest activity as many species look for food, shelter, and a place to breed.

Common Spring Pests:

• Ants: As ants emerge from their colonies, they invade homes in search of food. They are often found in kitchens and pantries.
• Termites: Spring is termite swarming season. These wood-destroying insects can cause significant damage to the structural integrity of your home.
• Bees and Wasps: Bees and wasps become more active in spring as they begin building nests. While bees are important pollinators, wasps can become aggressive, especially near their nests.
• Mosquitoes: As spring rain creates pools of standing water, mosquitoes begin breeding, becoming a growing nuisance as the season progresses.

Prevention Tips for Spring:

• Seal entry points: Check windows, doors, and foundations for any gaps and cracks, and seal them to prevent ants and termites from entering.
• Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. Clean gutters, empty bird
  baths regularly and ensure there’s no pooling water around your home.
• Keep food sealed: Store food in airtight containers to deter ants and other pests.
• Inspect wood for termites: Schedule an annual termite inspection and address any issues immediately.

Summer: A Time for Outdoor Activities—and Pests

The heat of summer increases pest activity, especially for insects that thrive in warm environments. With people spending more time outdoors, they may encounter pests both outside and inside the home.

Common Summer Pests:

• Mosquitoes: Warm weather accelerates mosquito breeding, making summer their peak season.
• Ticks: Ticks are most active during summer, posing health risks such as Lyme disease.
• Flies: Houseflies and fruit flies multiply quickly in warm temperatures and are drawn to food waste and decomposing materials.
• Spiders: Though spiders are present year-round, they become more noticeable during summer as they hunt insects attracted to the heat and light.
• Cockroaches: Roaches are more active in the heat, seeking food, water, and shelter inside homes.

Prevention Tips for Summer:

• Install screens on windows and doors: This helps keep flies, mosquitoes, and other pests out of the house while allowing airflow.
• Use insect repellents: Wear insect repellent to avoid mosquito and tick bites when spending time outdoors.
• Regularly clean up food waste: Flies and cockroaches are attracted to food scraps, so keep counters clean and dispose of garbage properly.
• Trim vegetation: Keep grass and shrubs trimmed to reduce tick habitats and discourage
  spiders from building webs close to your home.

Fall: Preparing for the Cold Drives Pests Indoors

As temperatures drop, pests start looking for warmer environments, and your home becomes an ideal target. Fall is a time for prevention, as many pests will attempt to overwinter indoors

Common Fall Pests:

• Rodents: Mice and rats seek warmth and shelter indoors. They can cause significant damage by gnawing on wires and contaminating food.
• Stink Bugs: Stink bugs search for a place to overwinter, often finding their way into homes through cracks and windows.
• Spiders: As insects retreat indoors for warmth, spiders follow their food source inside.
• Boxelder Bugs: These pests look for shelter in fall and can become a nuisance in large numbers.

Prevention Tips for Fall:

• Seal up cracks and holes: Rodents can enter your home through even the smallest gaps, so inspect and seal any entry points.
• Store food properly: Rodents and other pests will be attracted to food sources, so make sure everything is sealed.
• Keep firewood away from the home: Rodents and bugs can hide in wood piles, so store them at least 20 feet from your home and off the ground.
• Install door sweeps: Adding sweeps to doors and windows can help prevent pests from sneaking inside.

Winter: Pests Seek Warmth and Shelter

During the colder months, most pests slow down, but some species that have already entered your home will stay active. Winter is a time when rodents and insects take refuge indoors.

Common Winter Pests:

• Rodents: Mice and rats remain a problem throughout the winter, especially in attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
• Cockroaches: While roach activity declines in colder weather, indoor infestations can persist, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Silverfish: These moisture-loving pests remain active indoors during winter and can cause damage to paper, fabric, and stored food.

Prevention Tips for Winter:

• Maintain cleanliness: Regular cleaning prevents pests like cockroaches and silverfish from finding food and hiding spots.
• Inspect insulation: Rodents often nest in attics and basements, so ensure insulation is intact and not compromised by pests.
• Use traps and baits: If you detect rodent activity, set traps or use baits to control the population.
• Monitor for leaks: Silverfish thrive in moisture, so fix any plumbing leaks or condensation problems in your home.

Year-Round Pest Prevention Strategies

• Regular Inspections: Conduct routine checks around your home for signs of pest activity, particularly in basements, attics, and kitchens.
• Proper Ventilation: Good airflow prevents moisture buildup, which can attract pests like silverfish and cockroaches.
• Maintain Landscaping: Overgrown plants, untrimmed shrubs, and trees can serve as a
  gateway for pests to enter your home.
• Professional Pest Control: For serious infestations or persistent problems, hiring a pest control professional can ensure long-term solutions.

By staying ahead of seasonal pest trends and using prevention techniques tailored to each time of year, you can keep your home protected from unwanted invaders year-round.