Springtime in New England is commonly associated with wildflower blooms, the start of sugar mapling, and often long-awaited warmer weather. Unfortunately, the warming temperatures also mean more bugs in New England.
As the weather warms up, New England bugs come out of their “overwintering state” or otherwise increase their activity. This is also the time when they’ll start actively breeding and multiplying. This can mean more bugs ending up in your house.
This is a problem you obviously want to get ahead of, which is why we’re talking about spring pest control.
In this article we will cover:
Understanding Why Spring Means More Pests
Common Insects in Spring
Spring Pest Prevention in New England
Choosing Pest Control in Southern NH and Southern Maine
At the end of the day, you deserve to be able to get outside and enjoy more time in your yard. You don’t want to be worrying about lurking pests or their ability to creep inside and ruin your fun.
Understanding Why Spring Means More Pests
You might feel like you went most of the winter without seeing pests and suddenly - boom - there has been an explosion of insect activity around your home. This is common as most bugs enter a stage of “overwintering” (called diapause) in the winter months. This is similar to hibernation, though that’s a phenomenon reserved for warm-blooded animals.
Diapause is similar in that it’s a response to poor survival conditions. Insects' heart rates slow and they stop growing. In many ways it’s like their bodies hit the “pause” button.
But in springtime, everything changes.
The weather warms up and conditions are perfect for New England bugs to become active. There is suddenly more access to food, water, and shelter. Many bugs also like to take advantage of plants that are flowering or fruiting in the spring. You may see a very sudden increase in pest activity.
During this time, pests will also start breeding and multiplying like crazy.
Common Insects in Spring
There are many New England bugs that you’ll find becoming active in the spring. Here are some of the most common.
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Spiders
- Stinging insects
- Ticks
- Centipedes
- Earwigs
- Mosquitoes
And that’s just naming some. Almost every insect becomes active in the spring for the reasons discussed in the previous section.
Of course, we all know that New England spring weather can be tricky. Sudden warm spells can trick some bugs into coming out of diapause early. These pests then might die off during freezing spells (which are still quite common in the Seacoast region in the spring).
But by the time summer rolls around, you’ll likely see a steady influx of pest activity as a result of the ongoing warmer temperatures.
Spring Pest Prevention in New England
Keeping pests out of your home needs to be a multi-faceted effort. We recommend taking steps on your own and also investing in professional pest control. That combined effort will be the best way that you keep pests out.
Here are some of the steps you can take for spring pest prevention in New England.
#1 Seal Up Entry Points
It always makes sense to seal up entry points that pests might be coming in through in the first place. Tears in screens, cracks in the foundation, and other small entry points are all possible spots that should be fixed or sealed if possible.
Of course, many insects are small and can squish their bodies through teeny-tiny spaces, so this is not entirely foolproof. But making an effort to shut down as many entry points as possible can make a big difference.
#2 Clear Food Debris
Cleaning up crumbs and food debris can also make a difference as pests are commonly in search of a meal. Make sure that you are vacuuming regularly and wiping up crumbs left on the counters.
Keep food stored away in sealed containers. Also pay special attention to pet food, which is often left deliberately on the floor. Invest in a sealed storage solution rather than leaving the bag sitting out.
#3 Declutter the House
Pests love to hide so if you have a lot of clutter on your floors, this is likely to become a hiding space. Bugs are rarely out in the open, other than when they’re scurrying from one hiding spot to the next.
One way to address these pests is to declutter and eliminate their hiding spots. This is particularly true for bugs hiding in your basement. Plus it’s a great excuse to get started on your spring cleaning.
#4 Eliminate Moisture
A lot of bugs prefer a moist environment. This is another reason why they like the rainy springtime. It’s also a key reason why they tend to gravitate toward basements and bathrooms when they come inside.
Taking steps to keep these areas dry with waterproofing and/or a dehumidifier can help. If you have leaky pipes or faucets, these can also be bug attractors. Fix up any area where water leaks - as a bonus, you’ll also prevent water damage in your home.
#5 Invest in Professional Pest Control
In addition to taking some of the steps recommended above, we also suggest investing in professional pest control services that are going to start keeping pests out in the first place. A pest control expert can also help you address any pests that have already found their way inside with effective solutions.
Pest control works by using products that form a barrier around your home and keep pests from coming inside. This can help prevent major problems, like infestations, from occurring inside of your home. As in many cases, the preventative solution is more cost-effective than the worst case scenario.
Choosing Pest Control in Southern NH and Southern Maine
You have choices when it comes to pest control in Southern NH and Southern Maine. But it’s important to do your research and choose a company that you can trust to help you tackle your pest problems effectively.
At Seacoast Turf Care, serving New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, our pest control services cover most of the common household pests. It even includes mice.
With effective quarterly treatments, you can keep many pests out of your home. This is important as sometimes a simple bug problem can become a full-blown infestation if given the chance. Pests like German Cockroaches (as an example), can breed quickly and your problem can multiply. Some of these pests can even carry diseases.
If you truly want peace of mind that you’re keeping pests away, investing in professional pest control is a wise choice. By taking the right steps, you’ll be able to get back to enjoying life as usual.
Want to learn more about how pest control services can protect your family and give you peace of mind? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get pest control pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.
Image Sources: mouse in snow, bug swarm, spider, caulking, bug on food, cluttered basement, moisture droplets, mouse inside
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