Spring is upon us, which means it’s time to tend to your garden, get the pool ready, and have lots of other outdoorsy fun. And while the greenery and good times might be back, so are the bugs!
Pests and insects in New England adopt a similar lifestyle to humans in New England: they hunker down for the winter and wait for the warmer season. If you don’t want to be swatting mosquitoes all day long and are keen to avoid all unwelcome guests in your house, we suggest you learn more about the most common springtime pests in New England.
Here are the top 5 most common spring pests in New England:
Ants
Ants hibernate. So, don’t be surprised to see these crawlers all over your place where there weren’t any just a few weeks back. Ants not only store food for the winter season but actually put on weight during fall so that they can survive the dormancy period.
Different species hide in different places. Some prefer cool and moist areas and will dig into soil or hide under rocks or beneath the bark of trees. There’s a fair chance that they might creep into your basement or other concealed spots in and around your home. They might stay out of sight all through the winter and suddenly announce their presence in spring.
Carpenter ants are one of the most dangerous ant species found in many New England homes. They are known for their considerably large size – about half an inch or bigger. But more so, they are notorious for the damage they cause.
Carpenter ants can affect the structural integrity of your house as they eat away at wooden beams and floorboards to create tunnels and their nesting areas.
Ants may or may not harm you and your pets, but one thing is certain – you definitely don’t want to share your living space with any potentially dangerous creature.
If you notice ants roaming around your house (they are basically ‘workers’ foraging for food and water) or think that you might have an ant infestation, call Modern Pest right away!
Modern is ready to protect your home in spring and all year long! Call or click here to schedule now!
Wasps
Wasps are usually found year-round. Warmer temperatures usually kill off yellowjackets wasps, but paper wasps can continue wreaking havoc for homeowners. Their stings can be extremely painful. It can lead to swelling, allergic reactions, and in the case of multiple bites, potentially death.
If you notice a hive near your home or on your property, call Modern right away! It is best to not try and deal with a hive yourself as this will anger the inhabitants.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes aren’t just annoying, they also pose a threat to health. In addition to malaria, they are the vector for various other diseases, including Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) – a rare but serious infection that causes inflammation of the brain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, mosquito bites are the leading cause of the West Nile virus, which affects hundreds of people during the spring and summer season.
There are more than 40 different species of mosquitoes that have been identified in New England to date. However, the good news is that Modern’s Homecare Mosquito, Flea, and Tick service can effectively keep these bloodsuckers at bay.
Ticks
Coming from the same family as spiders and mites, ticks are a nightmare for every person living in or near woodlands or grassy areas. Though small in size, ticks can cause huge problems for you and your pets alike. This is because ticks are the carriers of many diseases, including Lyme Disease.
Even if you don’t contract the disease, tick bites can cause skin infections and flu-like symptoms, including fever and body pain. Plus, the itching and swelling from their bites can last for over a month.
Black-legged ticks stay active throughout the year. Unfortunately, springtime also revives several other species that might have gone dormant during the cold season.
Ready to reduce the threat mosquitoes and ticks bring to your yard?
Call 1-800-323-7378 to sign up for Modern’s Homecare Mosquito, Flea, and Tick service! Â
Springtails
Springtails, also known as snow fleas, are small wingless insects often associated with damp conditions and organic debris. They live in a variety of moist habitats but are usually found outdoors where they feed off leaf litter, rotting wood, and other decaying plant matter.
These insects survive the cold temperatures by burying themselves deep under the snow to stay insulated. When the snow melts, they emerge on the forest and garden floor in enormous numbers.
Although these insects are really very small (about 1/16 of an inch in length), they can jump to surprisingly long distances – around 100 times the length of their body!
Springtails are generally harmless in the sense that they do not usually bite humans. However, they may cause redness and/ or itching dermatitis. Plus, when present in large numbers near swimming pools and other similar areas near houses, they can become a nuisance.
If you see a heap of unusual tiny black insects in your backyard or driveway that look like a pile of soot, it is likely a colony of springtails.
The Modern Solution
Modern’s Homecare Green program protects against over 55 common household pests, including mice, rats, spiders, cockroaches, and ants. You’ll receive tri-annual visits from our Service Professionals. Have an issue in between visits? No problem! Our 100% service satisfaction guarantee means we’ll keep coming back until the issue is resolved. Call Modern today at 1-800-323-7378 or click here to get a free quote based on your specific home. Modern Pest provides protection from pests all year long.