Spring is a great time for deep house cleaning and organizing, planting flowers — and pests. Yes, pests like ants, termites, and mosquitoes will begin to start coming out as weather conditions become more suitable for them. Read more to learn about some of the most common spring pests in the Pacific Northwest and how you can prevent them from taking over your home.
Ants
There are several types of ants that thrive here in the Pacific Northwest, but today we’ll talk about the two most common.
- Odorous House Ant: also called the Sugar Ant, these pests are difficult to eliminate because of their social behaviors. While they will eat a variety of foods, they are typically attracted to sweeter products. Odorous House Ants commonly infest homes, logs, fields, and pastures. To help prevent these ants from entering your home, remove any sources of standing water, trim back vegetation, and use airtight containers for food products. Additionally, you’ll want to manage your garbage areas and pick up any crumbs or uneaten food.
- Carpenter Ant: these pests are known to destroy wood by creating tunnels in it. They prefer rotting or damp wood so if you have any damp wood in or around your home, remove it immediately. Inspect your home for leaks and repair them so they can’t dampen wood. You may also want to use a silicone-based caulk to seal utility pipe holes that lead to the interior of your home.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are known to be a problem in the summer but if the weather is suitable enough for them, they will begin coming out as early as March. Mosquitoes are known to carry potentially harmful viruses including West Nile Virus, Zika, and Malaria. They can also transmit Canine Heartworm to animals.
Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water because that’s how they breed and lay eggs. In fact, they only need about a bottle-sized cap amount of water to breed! To help keep mosquitoes away from your home remove any standing water and if you live by a lake or pond, consider contacting a professional pest control company to help identify ways to reduce mosquitoes on your property.
Termites
Termites are serious pests because of the damage they can cause to wood and wood structures. The best way to help prevent termites from entering your home is to ensure they don’t have a way in. Walk around the exterior of your home, looking for any small crack or hole a termite may use to gain access into your home. Then, seal the holes. Don’t forget to seal off holes where utilities and pipes enter your home.
If you have a termite infestation, it’s better to take action now rather than later. Keep in mind with most over the counter termite products, they only target small infestations. We recommend contacting a licensed pest control company to resolve the issue.
Experts in Pest Control
Whether you are experiencing a pest infestation or simply need ways to protect your home, contact your local pest control company. They are highly knowledgable about the pests in your area including their habits and behaviors. So they will be able to identify where pests are and effectively eliminate them.
