Spring Into Action: Essential Pest Control Tips for the New Season
The first day of spring is here! For New Yorkers, that means gearing up for warmer weather (finally!), blooming flowers, and unfortunately, the resurgence of spring pests. From pesky ants to destructive termites, spring brings new challenges for homeowners. To help you prepare for the season ahead, we’ve compiled some essential spring pest control tips—keep reading to learn more!
Common Spring Pests in New York Homes
As the weather warms up, keep an eye out for these common pests that may start appearing in and around your home:
Little Black Ants
Little black ants are a common nuisance pest in many New York homes during the spring season. These tiny ants, measuring only about 1/16th of an inch long, are attracted to sweet and sugary foods, making your kitchen and pantry their primary foraging grounds. While individually harmless, little black ants can quickly establish large colonies, making them difficult to eradicate once they infest your home.
Termites
Termites are perhaps the most destructive (and costly) pests encountered by New York homeowners. During the spring, termite colonies produce winged reproductive individuals known as swarmers, which emerge in large numbers to establish new colonies. Signs of a termite infestation include mud tubes, discarded wings, and hollow-sounding wood.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are often mistaken for termites due to their similar appearance and wood-damaging behavior. Unlike termites, which feed on the cellulose in wood, carpenter ants tunnel through it to create nests, causing significant structural damage over time. During the spring, carpenter ants become more active as they search for food and suitable nesting sites. Signs of a carpenter ant infestation include sawdust-like debris, hollow-sounding wood, and the presence of large, winged swarmers.
Spiders
Spiders are another common spring pest for New York homeowners. During the spring, you’ll likely encounter a variety of spiders, from harmless cellar spiders and jumping spiders to potentially hazardous species like black widows. While spiders are crucial in managing other pests, their presence can be unnerving, especially for those with arachnophobia. They’re most often found in basements, attics, closets, corners of rooms, and outdoor spaces like sheds and garages.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter bees are another pest in New York, particularly in the late spring. While they don’t consume wood like termites or carpenter ants, carpenter bees can cause significant cosmetic damage to exposed wood surfaces, such as eaves, decks, and fences as they burrow into wooden structures to create nests for their larvae. During the spring, male carpenter bees also become more aggressive as they establish territories and search for mates, often buzzing loudly around homes and outdoor structures.
Spring Pest Control Tips for New York Homeowners
As temperatures rise and pests become more active, it’s essential to protect your home. Here are some spring pest control tips to keep your home pest-free:
Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any cracks, gaps, or openings that pests could use to enter. Seal them with caulk or weatherstripping to prevent pest entry.
Remove Standing Water: Just like humans and pets, pests need water to survive and thrive. Eliminate any sources of standing water around your home, as they attract unwanted guests. Fix leaky faucets, clean clogged gutters, and empty birdbaths regularly.
Trim Vegetation: Keep shrubs, trees, and bushes trimmed back from your home to reduce hiding places for pests and prevent them from accessing your home easily.
Store Food Properly: Keep food stored in airtight containers to prevent pests like ants and pantry pests from accessing it. Clean up spills promptly and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
Maintain Cleanliness: Keep your home clean and clutter-free to eliminate hiding places for pests. Regularly vacuum and sweep floors, wipe down countertops, and take out the trash regularly.
Choose an Annual Pest Control and Annual Termite Plan: Consider enrolling in an annual pest control and annual termite plan with Knockout Pest Control. With regular inspections and treatments, you can proactively prevent pest infestations and keep your home protected year-round.
Knockout Spring Pests—Schedule an Inspection Today
Don’t let spring pests take over your home. Contact Knockout Pest Control today to schedule an inspection and safeguard your home against unwanted intruders.
Happy First Day of Spring!