Pests exist to cause nuisance and this is one obvious reason why they should be exterminated. Regardless of whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, pests find ways to stay alive. They will always have a place to hide, hibernate, and thrive. So if you think there comes a time when you can take a break from the hassle and stress brought by pests, you’ve got it wrong. Don’t let your guard down because pests have their means of survival no matter how harsh the weather or temperature can be in their natural habitat. They will always resort to invading places that can provide them with the warmth, shelter, food, and water sources they need–your home.
While certain pests continue to be a nuisance all year round in the United States, other pests tend to be especially active during a specific season. As pointed out by Ehrlich Pest Control (2014), seasonality is one thing we can all be sure of when dealing with pests. Knowing which key seasons particular pests become more invasive as far as your household is concerned can be greatly helpful for homeowners so we can prepare ahead of time in terms of preventive measures against pests.
The Usual Pests that Will Intrude Into Your Home
Some of the most common pests that can seek refuge inside people’s households are ants, cockroaches, rodents, bed bugs, mosquitos, fleas, spiders, termites, flies, stinkbugs, stinging insects, and even pigeons. However, these creatures do not necessarily penetrate your home altogether under the same season. Some of them are considered seasonal pests for they only infest your household during a specific period of the year. So, the big question: When do these common household pests tend to be particularly bothersome?
Spring is that time of the year when flowers bloom and Mother Nature recovers from the harsh cold brought by winter. As the ice starts to melt, the season gives way not only to warmer temperatures but also to spring pests coming out of hibernation and hiding. As these pests have been dormant during winter, they can get extra active and enlivened in spring as they search for food and water. The following pests are usually active in spring:
- Stinging insects (i.e. bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets)
- Bed bugs
Termites and most stinging insects have their mating season during spring. Bed bugs also become more prevalent as they get more chances to hitchhike and spread due to increased travel activities among people in time for spring break and Easter. With the warmth of spring, ants are also expected to come out of their colonies, forage for more food, and enter indoor spaces as well as seek higher ground when spring rains arrive. Pigeons, which are known to prefer dwelling in areas with plenty of people, also have their peak mating season during the spring.
It’s the hot season yet several pests find this time of the year more ideal to breed and search for food inside people’s homes. Here are common summer pests that may cause a lot of trouble to homeowners:
- Stinging insects
- Bed bugs
Ants always and always go to where food is and during the summer months, these annoying critters remain a pain in the neck to homeowners. Mosquitos are also most active in summer laying more eggs and, with summer rains, breeding faster. This season is also the time that stinging insects increase their numbers at a maximum so they frequent areas in and around your household where they can build their nests and produce more offspring. Flies, termites, and bed bugs are also found to be most active during summer.
Now that the temperatures start to cool, it is expected that animals and pests will also begin invading warm indoor spaces to get away from the cold of the upcoming winter. Of course, your home serves as the most ideal place for shelter during this time of the year. Here are the pests to expect this fall:
As they begin to sense that outdoor habitats turn less favorable due to the drop in the temperatures, mice and rats seek refuge inside your household where food, water, shelter, and warmth are readily available. Of course, where there are rodents, there are fleas. Similarly, cockroaches cannot tolerate the cold outside so they would also definitely come running into your household. The fall is also a breeding season for spiders so they find shelter indoors to make their fall activity more convenient. Pigeons also become a nuisance for building proprietors and homeowners during the fall for it is another peak season for mating. According to PestWorld.Org, proper pigeon control involves making the potential nesting and roosting areas of these animals uninviting and as much as possible doing away with feeding pigeons to keep them at bay.
If you think that pests are less active during the winter months, you are wrong. Yes, some pests may overwinter as cold temperatures become too hard to bear, but not these pests:
- Bed bugs
While others go into hibernation, these three types of pests remain in full swing during winter. Cockroaches, specifically German and Oriental cockroaches, stay active in the wintertime as they savor the damp dark areas the season provides. Members of the rodent family such as squirrels, mice, and rats will also find your household the perfect sanctuary where they can have the food, water, and warmth they need to get through the winter months. Certainly, bed bugs will always be a nuisance regardless of the time of the year, but since most people travel during winter in search of warmer destinations, these pesky crawlies breed and flourish more while hitchhiking on busy tourists.
As you can see, most of the household pests mentioned here are particularly abundant during the spring, summer, and fall. If we get ourselves familiar with these pests’ seasonality, it becomes easier for us to combat infestations. To effectively deal with seasonal pests, we should coordinate with pest control professionals since they are the ones who know what to do and what pest control methods to apply that work for a certain season.