If you’re like most people, you probably think of pests as bugs that invade your property in the summer. The category is much broader than that, including insects, arachnids, amphibians, reptiles, and even mammals of various types. Plus, they’re active all year long. In fact, they can be a bigger problem and cause more damage during other times of the year than in the summer.
Certain creatures are more active and visible during specific seasons. Others never stop, regardless of the time of year. To better protect yourself, it’s a good idea to become acquainted with their seasonal patterns. Knowing their habits allows you to focus on potential trouble spots.
This month we’ll look at some of the most common pests and when to keep an eye out for telltale signs.
Bed Bugs – Active Period: All Year
Bed bugs are one of the most annoying bugs you can encounter. They feed on human blood and are well-known for causing itch, red bites, and disturbing your sleep. They prefer to hide close to where they feed, which means they often nest between mattresses, under bedcovers, and on night stands. We covered their behavior in detail in last months blog. Check it out at 4-early-signs-of-bed-bugs.
Termites – Active Period: All Year
Termites swarm when warm weather arrives, but they eat away at structures all year long. If you see discolored or drooping drywall, peeling paint that resembles water damage, or find wood that sounds hollow when tapped, your house may have termites. You can read more about these destructive insects at signs-of-termites.
Cockroaches and Spiders – Active Period: All Year
Cockroaches are one of the most common pests in the world. They can be a real nuisance and are often difficult to control without professional assistance. They pose definite threats to humans and animals. Roaches often carry microorganisms and disease. By simply walking over a surface they can contaminate food, spread illnesses, and cause allergic reactions in some people.
Spiders love dark, warm places. Many reside unseen in or around homes, garages, and other buildings. While important for the environment, they can cause problems when present in large numbers. Most won’t bite unless startled or provoked. One problem is that you often don’t know they’re present until it’s too late! A helpful tip is to turn off exterior lights at night. They attract various insects that spiders like to eat. By eliminating a food source, the spiders will move elsewhere where the hunting is better.
When cool weather arrives both these pests will waste no time moving into your house! Early detection and action will aid your efforts to remove them. You’ll also need to choose the appropriate method, as some types of infestations require specific treatments.
Discover more about cockroaches at cockroaches and cockroaches are-creepy You can read our blog about spiders at spiders-invading-your-home
Rodents, Mice, & Rats – Active Period: Fall to Winter
Rodents, rats, and mice commonly move inside structures during cold months, especially January. They seek out warm places to nest, feed, and reproduce, and are particularly fond of spots under or behind kitchen appliances, around your kitchen pantry, inside closets, and attics or crawl spaces. If you see a rodent in your home, take action right away! Not only are they a bother to clean after, but they can be a reservoir for diseases and can carry fleas.
Review rodents and rats-and-mice-extermination for steps you can take to locate and deal with these pesky mammals.
Ants – Active Period: Spring
As winter fades away and the weather warms up, indoor rodents begin to venture outside, termites start to swarm, and ants of all types begin their annual reproductive cycle. Since we’ve discussed the first two pests, let’s consider ants for a moment.
Ants can be a nuisance anywhere, particularly inside your home. They’ll eat almost any kind of food (including other insects) and are so small they can get in through almost any opening. Carpenter ants aren’t much of a nuisance around the kitchen, but they’re more destructive as they feed on the wood in your structure. Needless to say, you don’t want them around for long.
Take a look at ants-chaos-to-order for info about regular ants, and at carpenter-ants-vs-termites to learn about carpenter ants (and how they differ from termites.)
Fleas and Ticks – Active Period: Summer and Fall
Ticks can be a real danger, particularly in the summertime. They can carry a number of pathogens that cause illness (Lyme disease is an example.) Consequently, it’s important protect yourself and your pets from them. Ticks commonly reside in forests and on tall grass; avoid those areas if you can. You can also protect yourself by wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, and by applying bug spray before going outside.
Refer to protecting-your-pets-from-fleas-and-ticks and tick-tock-fleas-and-ticks to learn more about dealing with the dangers these pests can cause.
Bees, Wasps, and Other Flying Insects – Active Period: Summer
As pollinators, flying insects like bees and certain wasps are critical to the well-being of many plants. Although they can be seen throughout warmer months, July and August are particularly important as that when they collect nectar to manufacture honey. Dealing with them can be even trickier than other pests due to their vital role in the life of plants. If they begin pose a threat to people, pets, or livestock, your best action is to enlist the help of a pest control professional.
Take a look at wasps-bees-yellowjackets to learn traits and habits of different flying insects, then read yellow-jackets for a deeper dive into the lives of Yellow Jackets.
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KC Pest Control has been successfully exterminating uninvited guests like these year ’round for over 42 years. We offer one-time treatments, and a Pest Prevention Plan designed keep your home or business pest free. We use only environmentally friendly methods that meet or exceed state and local regulatory requirements, and apply treatments with safe, modern equipment. Give us a call or text (405) 679-8729 for your consultation.
