Spring Pest Problems: Protect Your Home from Common Insects

Hey, it’s Travis and I’m starting to see so many of our typical WI pests making their way into clients homes. With the arrival of warmer weather and thawing ground, spring brings forth a surge of pests seeking the joys of the season. Unfortunately, this increased pest activity can be a real nuisance for homeowners. Stay vigilant and watch out for signs of infestations to prevent potential issues. Insects infiltrating your living spaces can cause both bothersome disruptions and costly repairs. Here are some common insect pests that thrive in spring and the damages they can inflict when left uncontrolled:

1. Japanese Beetles: In their grub stage, Japanese beetles feast on your lawn’s root system, leading to unsightly dead spots and bare areas that demand reseeding. As temperatures rise, these grubs transform into beetles, devouring plant leaves, including delicate ornamentals like roses.
2. Ticks: Springtime sees an upsurge in tick activity, and their presence in your yard can pose various problems. While their bites can occasionally be painful for humans and pets, they are typically a mild annoyance. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to take tick bites seriously as they are notorious for transmitting diseases like Lyme Disease.
3. Boxelder Bugs: During spring, boxelder bugs don’t usually inflict significant harm on homes or foliage. They spend the season feeding and reproducing on specific tree species, primarily female box elder trees. Occasionally, they may cause minor damage to fruits and leaves. Squashing them can release an unpleasant odor, and their feces can stain light surfaces. However, their unchecked population can become a nuisance in the fall when they invade homes in preparation for winter.
4. Mosquitoes: Spring marks the hatching of mosquito eggs, with the larvae maturing into adult mosquitoes within two weeks. Like ticks, mosquito bites are mostly irritating, but they can also transmit diseases such as West Nile virus and yellow fever.
5. Ants: As the weather warms up, ants emerge from their nests and often infiltrate homes in search of food. Apart from crawling over exposed edibles, studies indicate that ants can worsen or trigger respiratory issues, asthma, and allergies in susceptible individuals.

For more information about these pests, including identifying signs of infestations, visit the National Pest Management Association’s website. It’s recommended to enlist professional pest control services to effectively handle spring insect problems. If you notice any signs of infestation in your home or workplace, don’t hesitate to contact me at 414-702-0329 for assistance!