A dirt road walking trail at sunset in Tennessee.

Warm Weather Warning: What Pests to Watch Out For this Season

Warm weather is everything we pray for in the winter. But it’s also the perfect opportunity for pests to start invading your home.

Have you noticed that every time the temperature changes, different bugs randomly start popping up around your home? Your house is calm one week and then you’re spotting pests everywhere you look the next. You might be wondering, “Is this a coincidence?” And we’re sorry to say, but there’s no coincidence here.

Seasonal weather changes are what triggers pest activity. As temperatures rise, insects and rodents get out of their hiding spots. Now, let’s talk about the most common invaders you’ll most likely see this spring. We’ll give you the necessary steps on how to stop them before they get too comfortable in your home.

Ants are on the Move

The weather warming up is often a clear sign that ant colonies are on the move. Once ants find a food source in your home, they will never leave. And it only gets worse from there. The rest of the colony follows the scent trail they leave behind.

Here’s what attracts them to your home:

  • Crumbs or spills
  • Pet food
  • Moisture under the sink
  • Unsealed food containers in your pantry.
  • Wipe surfaces regularly
  • Store ALL food in airtight containers
  • Address water leaks promptly

Here’s what you can do to limit this problem:

Spiders are Seeking Shelter

While most of us are excited about the warm weather, spiders head inside so they can have better access to their food source. If you start finding more webs than normal, other insects might be present too.

We know how exhausting spider webs can be. I mean, would you want to walk through a spider web first thing in the morning?

How to keep them away before we get there:

  • Reduce clutter.
  • Vacuum corners and ceiling lines consistently.
  • Seal cracks around all the windows and doors in your home.

These steps help us determine where the spiders keep coming from, so we can defeat this problem once and for all.

Stink Bugs and Overwintering Pests

During the winter, stink bugs search for shelter in places like wall voids, attics, and window frames to avoid the cold. It’s extremely difficult to know they’re hiding in these places until a sudden warm day.

Here’s how to prevent them:

  1. Check for any small gaps in the siding of your house.
  2. Replace damaged screens
  3. Seal up entry points around utility lines.
    Getting ahead of the game is the best way to keep them away from your home before spring arrives.
Stink-Bugs-In-Tennessee

Wasps and Hornets are Building New Colonies

As spring approaches, wasps and hornets start preparing to invade by building and expanding their colonies. Some key nesting areas include rooflines, decks, sheds, and the top corners of your house. Keep in mind that early nests might be hard to spot, but they’ll grow quickly over time.

Here’s what to watch out for as warmer weather starts moving in:

  • Increased flying activity around one specific area.
  • Paper-like material surrounding the foundation of your home.
  • Buzzing sounds in walls or attics.

Mosquitoes After Rain & Warmth

Mosquitoes absolutely LOVE moisture. According to sources, mosquitoes thrive in remaining moisture in debris or tall grass. It honestly doesn’t take much for mosquito populations to expand, which ends up turning your backyard into a nightmare in the summer. Keep these precautions in mind and schedule your consistent mosquito, flea, and tick services. We want you to enjoy a summer without the fear of mosquito bites.

Here’s how to avoid attracting mosquitoes until we get to your home:

  • Empty out all containers.
  • Clean your gutters regularly.
  • If you have bird baths, clean and add fresh water regularly.

Rodents are also on the Move

We can’t forget about rodents! Rodents are very particular when it comes to weather. They prefer looking for stable shelter because they can’t handle environments that are too hot, cold, or moist. And your home is exactly what they’re looking for with more protection, warmth, and easy access to food.

Now, what you really need to watch out for is tiny openings the size of a dime in your home. You’d never think a mouse could fit through these holes, but it’s possible. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep themselves alive, like you and I would.

Here are some possible signs you might have mice:

  • You spot droppings around your home.
  • You hear scratching noises in your walls, attic, or ceilings.
  • You notice chew marks on your belongings.
  • You find greasy marks along the baseboards of your home.
a rat with dropped food in its mouth

As you can see, hiring the professionals to come inspect is a key solution to a long-term problem with mice. We will seal up all the entry points that you don’t even know about. It’s also a critical step to make sure all your food is tightly stored away in your pantry.

Why Year-Round Protection Matters

Most of the time, pest colonies are already established by the time you spot one. That’s why we recommend year-round pest control services to save you time and money down the road. Nobody wants to fix thousands of dollars in damages when it can easily be avoided.

If you’re still not convinced, here are a few important reasons why pest control should stay in place all year long.

  1. Continuing your services helps maintain a protective barrier that stops new infestations from starting.
  2. Maintaining your services prevents costly damage. For example, rodents can chew through electrical wiring, which can cause fires. Termites also cause significant structural damage to your home, whether it’s made out of brick or wood.
  3. Regular treatments will protect you and your family from catching harmful diseases from pests.
  4. Each season brings out different pests. For example, ants are worse in the spring, mosquitoes are very active in the summer, and rodents appear more often in the fall and winter.

Recap
Pest activity can vary from property to property depending on factors like weather patterns, surrounding landscaping, and nearby bodies of water.

Professional inspections can identify:

  • Where the pests are hiding.
  • What conditions are attracting the pests and how to fix it.
  • Early signs of pest activity.
  • The best treatment plan for the season.

As you can see, taking early action will save you time, stress, and money in the long-run. To schedule your free initial inspection, or call 615.590.1260. We’re ready to do whatever it takes to keep you and your home stay protected all year long!

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