Springtime Pests on the Rise
Homeowners aren’t the only ones crawling out of the nooks and crannies after hibernating in their homes all winter. Come spring, when the weather starts to warm, various insects start to become more active as well. Spring is often touted as the best time of year with everything looking lush and fresh and in full bloom, but it has the unfortunate side-effect of drawing out pests as well. Before you start breaking out the warm weather gear and heading out to enjoy the beautiful weather, you should take precautions to ensure your home is protected from unwanted pests. Nothing is worse than spending a lovely day out and about only to come home to an insect infestation.
Common Spring Pests and How to Get Rid of Them
Though Arizona is home to dozens of insects and rodents, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common pests that homeowners tend to complain about this time of year:
Ants
Arizona is home to more species of ants than there are in any other state, so it’s no surprise that ant infestations here are a common occurrence. Among the most common are harvester, carpenter, and fire ants. These pests may be tiny, but they can still bite and sting and can go from only a few to hundreds in no time. If you start noticing ants in and around your home, you should act fast before it becomes a full-blown infestation.
How to Get Rid of Them
The draw for most ants is food. While you might think you keep a clean house, even the smallest bits and crumbs can attract them. To keep them away, make sure to wipe up any spills right away, and sweep and mop the floors more frequently during spring and summer. Also, make sure any food stored in the kitchen is sealed tight. If you still have issues with ants after that, you may need to contact your local pest control company to handle the problem. Store-bought products can sometimes help if there are only a few ants, but most of the products available to homeowners are not strong enough to completely eradicate the issue.
Bees and Wasps
April showers bring May flowers – and bees and wasps too. Since bees are most active once everything is in full bloom, they don’t tend to cause any issues until later in spring and throughout the summer. However, it’s not unheard of for them to come out early. So it’s still a good idea to inform yourself now and be prepared. Wasps as well, start coming out once the weather gets warmer. While bees and wasps do not tend to invade inside of houses, it is common for them to swarm and create hives around the outside of the house. Though bees are important to the environment and the ecosystem, they can pose an immediate threat to you and anyone else in your household if they feel threatened.
How to Get Rid of Them
If you have a beehive or a wasp nest somewhere around your home, do not attempt to move it on your own. You should also avoid spraying anything around the hive. Store-bought products are often not strong enough and will only aggravate the bees and wasps. When bees feel threatened, they will attack, and if there are enough of them, it could lead to severe injuries from the stings or even fatalities. These situations are best left to the professionals. Pest control experts will have the proper tools and protective equipment to safely and efficiently handle any bee or wasp infestation.
Cockroaches
Similar to ants, cockroaches are often drawn in by food. Unfortunately, they will eat just about anything, making it even harder to deter them from entering your home. The biggest issue with these critters is the diseases they carry and the rapid rates at which they reproduce. They lay about 35 eggs at a time, and it doesn’t take very long for their young to reach maturity. If you notice a roach in your home, you should have it treated as soon as possible.
How to Get Rid of Them
Keeping your home as clean as possible will help cockroaches from being drawn in, but once they are in your home, it is challenging to get rid of them. The quickest and most effective solution is to have your home treated by a professional. Cockroaches are tough little buggers and are nearly impossible to get rid of with weak, store-bought products.
Spiders
While spiders don’t typically infest homes in large numbers at a time, they are still a creepy and unpleasant insect to have to deal with. They tend to find their way in through cracks and holes, and small openings in windows, and then seek out dark, hidden spaces. If you have spiders in your home, it is likely because they are seeking shelter and a place to find food. Most spiders are harmless and will leave you alone if you leave them alone. However, if you have issues with Brown Recluse or Black Widow spiders, you should take caution as they can cause serious health problems when they bite.
How to Get Rid of Them
Before attempting to rid your home of spiders, you should give it a second thought. While they are unpleasant, they are quite good at hunting and eating other insects that invade the home. If you have more dangerous spiders nesting in and around the house, however, you should clear them out, especially if you have small children that are susceptible to getting bit. During the day, when the spiders are MIA, you can clear out their webs to prevent them from coming back. Many professional pest control companies have services for ridding your home of dangerous spiders as well.
How Anteater Exterminating Inc. Can Help
For over 20 years, Anteater Exterminating Inc. has been providing the Phoenix area with superior pest control services. Our technicians are certified and trained to handle a variety of pest and rodent issues in Arizona. If you are struggling with a pest problem, big or small, Anteater Exterminating Inc. can handle the job. Give us a call to see how we can provide you with the best pest control services in Phoenix, AZ, today!