SPRING PESTS: ANTS, WASPS, AND FLIES

The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and the birds are chirping. There is nothing better than watching the grass green, the trees bud, and everything come out of hibernation. Spring can be great for a lot of reasons, the days become longer and the weather warms up. But this time of year can be bad for pests in and around your home. There are so many common pests that come out of hibernation in the spring who can wreck havoc on your home. In this blog we will focus on ants, wasps, and cluster flies and how the warmer weather introduces new challenges for pest control.

Ants:Carpenter ants and pavement ants start to show up around your home in the spring. Carpenter ants especially are a common issue in the spring. If you see only one or two around, then you probably have nothing to worry about. But you should still check for them around your house. Because carpenter ants can cause structural problems it is best to be sure you don’t have a problem. They nest in wood and can be seen and found in walls and ceilings. They can damage wood by creating ‘galleries’ where they end up living, they leave clues to their nesting location by leaving behind ‘frass’ which is a sawdust-like material. Their destruction is unlike termites, they leave the wood hollowed whereas termites pack mud into the damaged areas. Inspect areas they can be hiding or get into your house around wiring, windows in the basement, and small spaces. If you think you have a problem it is best to call a pest control specialist.

Wasps:Yellow jackets and paper wasps are common wasps you will see in the spring. Both types will hide in out-of-the-way areas. Yellow jacket wasps tend to nest in attics, walls, and under eaves. If you have an infestation you will be able to spot them flying in and out of cracks in the walls of the house. Paper wasps can be found on horizontal surfaces like beams, overhangs, and supports in places like attics, garages, and tool sheds. Wasps can be dangerous if they stay nested in the walls of your house. if you do see a nest but never any wasps around it, it is possible it is not being used anymore, as wasps usually only use their nest for a season. It might not be vacant though so it is best to call a pest control specialist to inspect the problem for you.

Cluster flies: Although cluster flies do not cause a direct threat to humans, they are still a nuisance. They can enter your home through the tiniest crevices, around doors, windows, etc. They usually come indoors when the temperature outside starts to drop in the winter. Adult cluster flies look for shelter in late summer and early fall. They are more attracted or prone to enter your home on the south and west sides of houses. They settle in the walls or attic to hibernate and when the temperature rises they become more active. You will find them gathering and moving slowly in windows where the light attracts them. It is very hard to get rid of a cluster fly infestation, a female can lay up to 100 eggs and the larva survive as parasites on the bodies of earth worms. It is very important to call a pest control specialist to take care of the problem for you.

If you are in over your head dealing with any ant, wasp, or cluster fly infestations call 1-800-263-5055 or get a quote online today.