Top Springtime Pests In 2022
Insects are always a nuisance, but they seem to cause the most problems during the springtime. This is because they are coming out of their winter hibernation and are looking for food and shelter. Here are the top pests you will have to deal with in 2022
Look Out For These Top Springtime Pests In 2022
Insects are always a nuisance, but they seem to cause the most problems during the springtime. This is because they are coming out of their winter hibernation and are looking for food and shelter. Here are the top pests you will have to deal with in 2022:
1) German cockroaches – These cockroaches are small but can cause a lot of damage. They often hide in narrow cracks and crevices near food sources, making them difficult to get rid of.
2) Ants – Ants can be a real problem, especially when they start building their nests inside your home. They can contaminate food supplies and track bacteria all over your surfaces.
3) Termites – Termites are a significant problem for homeowners because they can cause extensive damage to wood structures. They often go unnoticed and undetected until it's too late.
4) Fire ants – Fire ants are an invasive species that can be very dangerous. They build their nests along the ground and can quickly overrun an area. If you come into contact with them, they will bite and sting you, which can be painful and even deadly in some cases.
5) Carpenter bees – Carpenter bees drill holes into wood structures in order to build their nests. This can cause noticeable and severe damage to your home if not dealt with properly.
6) Silverfish – Silverfish are small but destructive pests. They feed on paper and fabric, which can ruin your belongings. They are also known to cause allergies in some people.
7) Carpenter ants – Carpenter ants are similar to termites in that they can cause extensive damage to wood structures. They are often mistaken for termites but can be distinguished by their dark color and large size.
8) Mosquitoes – Mosquitoes are a nuisance and can carry diseases like the West Nile virus. They are primarily active at dawn and dusk, so be sure to use mosquito repellent if you're going to be outside during these times.
Now that we've briefed you a little bit on some of the top springtime pests in 2022, let's dive deeper into each pest below so you can get a clear idea of their characteristics and the problems they pose.
German Cockroaches
Blattella germanica, better known as the German cockroach, is one of the most common pests in springtime. They can be found all over the world, and they thrive in warm environments. German cockroaches love to eat food that is high in sugar or starch, and they will contaminate any food or drinks they come into contact with. These roaches can also spread disease, so it is vital to get rid of them as soon as possible.
An easy-to-identify characteristic of German cockroaches is that they are light brown in color and can be primarily located in bathrooms and kitchens. They like to find places to live with ample amounts of moisture and food. Because they are considered a severe health hazard in both homes and restaurants, it is absolutely critical to control them immediately. While they typically only come out at night, you may see some during the day. Unfortunately, this is usually a sign of a severe infestation.
To prevent these troublesome German cockroaches from entering your home, make sure to seal any cracks or crevices around doors and windows. You should also keep food sealed tightly and dispose of any garbage regularly. If you find German cockroaches in your home, there are a number of insecticides and long-term baits that you can use to get rid of them effectively.
General Household Ants
Household ants are a common problem in springtime, especially when they start building their nests inside your home. They can contaminate food supplies and track bacteria all over your surfaces. There are a large number of different species of ants, but just a few of the most common ones you'll find in or around your home are carpenter ants, Pharoah ants, and odorous house ants.
It's important to note that while ants may look fairly similar, it's crucial that you're able to identify the type of ant infestation you may be dealing with. You'll also want to perform an indoor and outdoor inspection to determine the source of the infestation. This will help you choose the best course of treatment. Treatment for ants typically involves a combination of baits and sprays.
To prevent ants from entering your home, make sure to seal any cracks or crevices around doors and windows. You should also keep food sealed tightly and dispose of any garbage regularly. If you do find ants in or around your home, there are a number of insecticides that can be used to get rid of them.
Termites
Termites are a significant problem for homeowners because they can cause extensive damage to wood structures. But, unfortunately, they often go undetected until it's too late. Termites are small, winged insects that feed on wood. They live in colonies underground, and they can travel long distances searching for food.
As with ants, it's crucial to inspect and identify any potential termite activity. A few tools you'll want to use are a screwdriver, quality flashlight, pocketknife, and sturdy coveralls. You'll likely be crawling into a crawlspace or other confined space. You can quickly locate termite damage by probing the suspected wood with your pocketknife or screwdriver. Check any and all wood structures from the basement to the crawl space (if your home has one). You'll want to be looking at subfloors, sills, supporting piers, supporting posts, window frames, and even wood under porches.
To prevent termites from entering your home, make sure to seal any cracks or crevices around doors and windows. Make sure you inspect your home yearly if you've had problems in the past or are in a high-risk area. Immediately take care of termite problems to avoid substantial property loss. Check out termite control options here!
Fire Ants
Fire ants are an invasive species that can be very dangerous. These ants are attack animals that like to intrude into other ants' nests. They build their unique-looking nests in the ground and can quickly overrun an area. If you come into contact with them, they will bite and sting you, which can be painful and even deadly in rare cases.
Fire ants are typically categorized into native and red imported fire ant categories. While they are both aggressive, the imported variant is particularly fierce. Caution should be taken with these pests, as their sting, or bite, causes adverse reactions. These reactions can range from mere irritation to nausea. For those with fire ant allergies, bites can lead to a life-threatening situation if not treated quickly.
To prevent fire ants from invading your home, make sure to seal any cracks or crevices around doors and windows. You should also avoid stepping on their nests, which can be easily identified by their mounds of dirt. If you do find an infestation of fire ants, there are a number of insecticides that can be used to get rid of them.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are a common pest in springtime. They drill holes into wood structures in order to build their nests. This can cause unsightly and severe damage to your home if not dealt with properly.
These bees are relatively easy to identify, although they are sometimes mistaken for common bumblebees. Carpenter bees can be identified by their large, black and shiny abdomen. They also have a yellow or white band on their thorax. Measuring in at typically about 1/2 inch in size, it's not too much trouble to spot them.
These bees do not typically sting unless seriously provoked, and only the female is capable of stinging. Carpenter bees usually nest in unpainted, non-sealed wood that has been damaged by water or insects. This includes wood that is soft, rotted, or crumbling.
You can quickly tell if you have a carpenter bee infestation by the presence of their large, round holes and hovering black bees around your home. Their holes are usually about the size of a dime but can be larger. If you see these holes, it's crucial to take action quickly to prevent further damage.
Once you have an active infestation, you'll want to take care of the bees before sealing up any holes. However, to prevent any potential carpenter bees from drilling holes into your wood, you can use paint, varnish, or sealant on your exterior wood surfaces. You can also install metal flashing around eaves and gables to deter them. If you find an infestation of carpenter bees, there are a number of insecticides that can be used to get rid of them.
Silverfish
Silverfish are small, flat nuisance insects that often go unnoticed until they start causing problems. They thrive in moist environments and eat a variety of things, including paper, fabric, and glue. Silverfish can also contaminate food supplies.
You can identify silverfish by their long and slender bodies that are usually a silver-brownish color. They get thinner towards the rear and have long antennae in front and back of their bodies.
This peculiar insect loves areas with high humidity. While they can be found across the United States, they typically prefer humid places. Within these environments, they like moist, warm areas such as bathtubs. As for their diet, silverfish like to eat grains found in pantries. They can also chew sizable holes in paper, clothing, and even upholstery.
To prevent silverfish from entering your home, make sure to keep your environment dry and clean. For example, eliminate standing water and run your air conditioning. It would be best if you also thoroughly sealed any cracks or crevices around doors and windows. If you do find an infestation of silverfish, there are a number of insecticides that can be used to get rid of them.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are a common problem in springtime. They build their nests in wood, which can cause severe damage to your home if not dealt with properly.
As we mentioned above, identifying and inspecting carpenter ants is critical. They are large 1/4 to 3/8 inch ants that are brown or black. Some may have a red or yellow hue. There are two categories of carpenter ants: black and Florida. Florida carpenter ants are typically smaller and live on the southeast side of the country. In contrast, black carpenter ants live in the midwest to eastern states.
Contrary to common belief, carpenter ants do not actually eat wood like termites do. They do, however, severely damage the wood. They can damage trees and building construction materials by hollowing the wood from the inside. You may be able to quickly locate their presence by observing the frass they leave behind. This material looks like fine sawdust.
To prevent carpenter ants from taking over your home, make sure to seal any cracks or crevices around doors and windows. You should also inspect your home for carpenter ants every year and treat any carpenter ant infestations immediately with these recommended insecticides.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos are a common problem in the spring and summer months. They bite humans and animals, spreading diseases like the Zika virus, the West Nile virus, and even malaria. Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk, so it's essential to take precautions during those times.
We often see mosquitos pop up in the news due to the threat they pose to human health. But, while you might guess sharks, lions, or crocodiles are responsible for many human deaths, you'd be surprised to learn that mosquitoes are by far the most deadly. Every year, nearly 3/4 of a million people are lost to infectious diseases transmitted directly by mosquitos.
Mosquitos are more common in areas with tropical weather but are found across nearly every state in the country. They typically like to rest in weeds, shrubs, and tall grass during the day. To create a safe environment, it's crucial that you do everything you can to reduce the mosquito population around your home and other recreational areas.
To prevent mosquitoes from biting you, you can wear long sleeves and pants, use insect repellent, and avoid going outside at dawn and dusk. However, suppose you do find yourself amidst a severe infestation of mosquitoes. In that case, there are many methods and mosquito insecticides that can be used to get rid of them.
Do-It-Yourself Pest Control
At Do-It-Yourself Pest Control, we can help you take control of your pest problem. We offer a variety of products and services that can help you get rid of common pests like ants, termites, carpenter bees, silverfish, and more.
You can also find helpful articles and videos on our website that will show you how to identify, treat, and prevent common pests. With our help, you can take back your home or business from unwanted pests!
You can also call us toll-free at 1-800-476-3368 to speak with one of our experts. We look forward to helping you get rid of these pesky springtime pests!
