Every season brings changes in the weather, and with those changes come new pests. Some bugs and rodents show up in summer, while others love the warmth of your home during winter. These seasonal pests can be annoying and sometimes even harmful to your home and health.
How do you handle pests that return every year? The answer is to know which pests appear each season and how to stop them early.
Here, you’ll learn about seven common seasonal pests and what to do about them.
We’ll look at when they show up, the problems they cause, and straightforward steps you can take to keep them away from your home.
1. Ants (Spring/Summer)
Usually, ants emerge when the temperature rises in their surroundings. First, you can find them in the kitchen searching for food or drink. Usually, they find their way in through minor breaches in windows, doors, or walls.
Although ants often inflict minor damage, they can rapidly create trails and contaminate your food. Certain kinds, including carpenter ants, can even compromise the internal wooden construction of your house.
First, keep your house tidy to help prevent ants. Store food in sealed containers; wipe counters and sweep crumbs. Find and block entry sites using caulk or weather stripping. Vinegar or lemon juice sprinkled close to their routes is a natural repellent.
If the infestation persists, professional pest control services or bait traps could be required. Early spring ant control can also help avert a more severe invasion later.
2. Mosquitoes (Summer)
Mosquitoes are common in the summer and are more than just annoying. Their bites can induce itching and swelling and transmit infections, including West Nile Virus or Zika. Mosquitoes deposit their eggs in standing water, so you will find more of them in birdbaths, ponds, or even water-filled flower gardens.
First, clear any standing water around your house, including toys, buckets, and clogged gutters, to help prevent mosquitoes. Then, install mosquito screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering inside. When outdoors, you can also use citronella candles or bug repellent.
Another good evening habit is wearing long sleeves. Larger mosquito issues may call for foggers or consulting a pest professional.
3. Flies (Spring/Summer)
Flies often appear more in the warmer months, particularly around trash, pet waste, or leftovers. They can transmit germs that cause illness, so they are bothersome. Houseflies, fruit flies, and gnats are among the most commonly dealt with species.
Always regularly dispose of your rubbish and keep trash containers covered to help avoid flies. Quickly clean food spills; do not leave ripe fruits uncovered. Also, window screens should be repaired to prevent fly access inside.
You can make simple fly traps using vinegar and dish soap. These traps draw flies and stop them from flitting about your house.
4. Spiders (Fall)
Many times, spiders enter homes in the fall. They search for quiet, warm areas to create their webs as the temperature drops. Though most spiders are benign, some individuals find them frightening. A few, like brown recluses or black widows, can be lethal.
Clean often, especially in corners, basements, and behind furniture, to help reduce spiders in your house. Spiders like undisturbed areas with access to other bugs to eat. Remove webs and eggs with a Hoover.
Then, seal the gaps around windows and doors to keep them out. Natural sprays prepared from water and peppermint oil could help drive them away.
5. Rodents (Fall/Winter)
In the colder months, mice and rats usually try to infiltrate homes. They search for food, comfort, and cover. Once inside, they can gnaw through wires, leave droppings, and contaminate surfaces. You can find chewed food packets or hear scratching sounds in the attic or walls.
Block entrances to prevent rodents. Search under sinks, around pipes, and for holes in walls. Metal mesh or steel wool will close these holes. Also, store food in airtight containers and immediately clear up crumbs. And set traps where you observe rodent activity.
However, calling a specialist becomes sensible if the issue grows more severe.
6. Termites (Spring)
Termites are tiny insects that can cause big problems. Usually seeking new locations for colonies, they swarm in the spring. Termites can quietly ruin your house without showing themselves since they eat wood. Many times, people ignore them until the damage is already really severe.
Look for indicators like hollow timber, mud tubes, or little wing piles to guard your house. Stow mulch and wood away from the base of your home. Good drainage will help prevent water from gathering close to your home.
Further, a professional routinely checking for termites is one of the finest strategies to stop damage. Should termites be discovered, specific treatments are required to eradicate them.
7. Cockroaches (Year-Round, Worse in Summer)
Though they are more active in warm months, cockroaches can appear anytime. They enjoy dark, damp areas, including basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. Roaches transmit germs that could taint food and set off allergies. Once they locate food and water, they rapidly reproduce.
To discourage cockroaches, keep your house relatively spotless. Wipe down counters daily and avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink. Correct any water leaks and routinely remove trash. Roaches lurk under appliances and in cracks, so seal cracks and clean hidden spaces.
Conclusion
Though they seem to be a never-ending issue, seasonal pests can be controlled with the correct actions to guard your house. Knowing which bugs are common every season and their behavior helps you prevent them before they spread. Little deeds like food cleanup, crack repair, and natural repellent application go a long way. Don’t delay seeking advice from pest control professionals on more complex issues. Maintaining vigilance all year helps your house remain free of pests and keeps your family safe. You can bid pests farewell permanently every season with a bit of work.
