Spring has officially sprung! And with it, so have the pests. Some pests are just a nuisance. They are embarrassing when guests see them, and they can cause itching and painful swelling when they pinch, sting, or bite you. However, other pests can be dangerous. They can spread germs and disease, and they can cause serious damage to your home.
Here are some of the springtime pests you can expect to see and which ones you should look out for:
Flies
When it’s a nice day outside, you might feel like opening up the doors and windows to feel the breeze and enjoy the fresh air. Unfortunately, you will be letting in flies. These pests are so ubiquitous, they have become associated with spring and summer. You think of the season, and you think of flies.
Flies are mostly just a nuisance. They are constantly buzzing around and getting in your face. However, flies can carry bacteria that can cause diseases, including dysentery and cholera. This bacterium is transmitted on the fly’s footpads, body, and eggs. If you have flies, you will need to clean the surfaces of your home regularly, and you will need to call an exterminator to develop a plan to remove them.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos are the other pest you think of when you think of spring and summer. They not only buzz around, but they also constantly bite you and leave behind itchy welts. Mosquitos drink your blood. That means that they may be carrying viruses or bacteria from any other person or animal they have bitten. Their bites can sometimes transmit those bacteria and viruses to you.
Most notably, mosquitos are known for carrying the West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue fever. These can all result in profoundly serious illness and even death if you do not get proper treatment. Always wear mosquito repellent to protect yourself and hire an exterminator to treat your yard to keep mosquitos at bay.
Ants
Most of us probably have memories of accidentally stepping in an ant hill and coming out of it with a red, painful foot. Some ants deliver painful bites to people and animals, and some ants eat through the wood in your home. Some ants are mostly harmless, but they can be a nuisance when you see them trailing through your kitchen in search of food.
Don’t bother trying to figure out which ants are in your yard or your home. Just develop a pest prevention plan to keep all these ants out of your property so that you do not end up with painful bites and your home isn’t put at risk.
Termites
Termites burrow underground or find warm places to hide during the colder months. Now that it’s warm, expect them to start searching for food – which could come in the form of your house. One of the most obvious signs that you have termites is the piles of frass (feces) or discarded wings along your windowsills and doorways. However, you should also look for signs like sagging floors, peeling paint, and marks on your walls or ceilings.
You should always have a termite prevention plan in place as a homeowner. If you do not, now is the perfect time to start one. You do not want to wait until you find out you have extensive damage to decide to take action.
Spiders
Mostly, spiders are good for your home and garden. They eat all kinds of other pests that you don’t want to have around. However, some spiders can deliver venomous bites that can cause serious complications. Some spider bites can even prove fatal.
In Arizona, the two spiders you must worry about the most are the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse. An experienced exterminator can help you understand your options for keeping these venomous spiders out of your home and off your property.
Many more pests start to be active in the spring, including wasps, beetles, and more. Talk through your options for pest control with your exterminator, who will look over your property and give you tailored recommendations based on its characteristics. You’ll get a plan that will protect your home from damage and your family from harm.