Winter may have provided a temporary respite from invertebrate pests- but don’t get too comfortable! Insects will soon start to emerge for Spring. It can sometimes seem like insect arrival occurs in one sudden influx, but there are several stages to their Springtime resurgence. During the Winter, insects and arachnids enter a state of suspended animation known as “diapause” to wait out unfavorable conditions. The temperature at which insects and arachnids awaken from diapause varies due to several factors, including species, day length, time of year, life stage, and, most importantly, temperature.
30-40 Degrees: Winter Warriors
Cold weather and arthropods don’t generally mix, but in the immortal words of Dr. Ian Malcolm, “life finds a way”. Some particularly resilient species have adapted to endure colder temperatures and emerge earlier.
Springtails
Springtails are commonly referred to as “snow fleas” due to their flea-like appearance and method of locomotion.
Springtails are some of the first “pests” to emerge as the weather warms. These tiny, primitive creatures naturally produce an antifreeze-like compound in their bodies that prevents them from freezing, even in subzero temperatures. Springtails spend most of their time in the soil. On warm winter days, Springtails are commonly seen hopping atop sun-warmed snow earning them the nickname “snow fleas”. Unlike true fleas, springtails do not bite or carry transmissible diseases. Though harmless to humans and structures, springtails have an unfortunate tendency to congregate in large, unsightly clusters on the interior or exterior of homes and garages. This causes homeowners to view them as pests. Springtail issues are often resolved as moisture from snowmelt evaporates later in the Spring. Lingering springtail clusters can be indicative of moisture or mold issues in your home
Wait Them Out
Springtails will usually disperse naturally as the season progresses. Chemical treatments for springtails are unnecessary under normal circumstances. If you can briefly tolerate unattractive springtail masses, your springtail population will benefit your lawn and garden tremendously. Springtails consume decaying organic matter and mold, returning vital nutrients to the soil, preventing the spread of root-destroying fungi, and aerating soil as they move. This leads to healthier flowers, grass, and other plants.
Address Moisture Issues:
Springtails require high-humidity environments to survive. If moisture levels in your home are within the normal range, any springtail that enters your home should perish shortly after. If you see a steady population of springtails in your home, this is a sign of moisture or mold issues and should be dealt with as soon as possible. Common remedies for excess moisture include:
- Running a dehumidifier
- Improving ventilation
- Directing gutters and rainspouts away from your foundation
- Repairing leaks in the roof, walls, or pipes
- Regrading the area around your foundation to prevent pooling
- Sealing walls, floors, and cracks in concrete
Ticks
You may think you’re safe from ticks during the Winter, but these persistent pests can make surprising appearances. Ticks survive the Winter by hiding in protected areas to wait out the cold or finding a host to overwinter on, using their body heat to keep warm. They can emerge during warm stretches in which temps crack 40 degrees. If temperatures dip, they can return to diapause until their next opportunity.
Tick Checks
Ticks can find their way into your home on people or pets, especially if they’ve been spending time in wooded or brushy areas. Check coats, pants, hair, and boots for any unwanted hitchhikers. For pets, check in common tick hiding places such as head and neck, feet, and underneath the tail.
Remove Harborage:
You can reduce the risk of tick bites by removing common hiding spots. These include:
- Leaf litter
- Wood piles
- Brush
- Lawn debris
Treatment
Professional tick treatment can help reduce populations in the area surrounding your home. Treatments begin in April and occur monthly through Fall, eliminating existing ticks, preventing breeding, and ensuring a reduced population for the following Spring.
50-60’s : Early Spring
April showers don’t just bring May Flowers, they also provide moisture that allows pests to thrive. Here’s what to look out for.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito larvae surviving in snowmelt
Though they won’t peak until Summer, mosquitoes will become active in early Spring when temperatures rise above 50 degrees. Mosquitoes require moisture to breed and survive, so you’ll find them in places where water collects, such as wooded areas and near ponds and streams. Early Spring mosquitoes are lethargic and won’t regain their full energy until temperatures reach 60 degrees, but they can still produce the same itchy bites. Here’s how to control their population this Spring:
Eliminate Standing Water:
Mosquitoes can lay up to 300 eggs in a single teaspoon of water, which means that anywhere stagnant water can collect on your property is a potential hot spot for breeding mosquitoes. Remove any brush piles, lawn debris, buckets, or toys in the yard to avoid allowing water to pool and mosquitoes to breed.
Treatment:
Professional mosquito treatment is an excellent option for persistent mosquito issues. This targeted application of low-toxicity materials has proven to significantly reduce mosquito populations while allowing your family and pets to enjoy the yard safely and without nuisance mosquitoes.
Ants
Ants become dormant at temperatures below 50F, which means most nests will be inactive throughout the Winter in the wild. Your home is a different scenario. If a queen ant has found her way inside your home to nest, her colony may be able to take advantage of the warmth of your home and remain active year-round. Soft, rotting wood makes it easy for carpenter ants to chew their way into your home. “Scout” ants from colonies outside the walls of your home will attempt to make their way inside to forage once temperatures have surpassed 50 degrees. If ants are already present, you will see an increase in activity as temperatures warm. Either way, it is important to monitor your stored food for ant sightings.
Remove Attractants:
The main reason ants enter your home is to search for food to bring back to the colony. Make your home less appealing by storing food items in sealed containers made of glass, metal, or thick plastic. Vacuum any crumbs immediately to avoid encouraging ant invaders.
Moisture Control:
Carpenter ants prefer to nest in damp or decaying wood because it is easier to excavate. Reducing moisture is a key preventative and control measure.
- Use a Dehumidifier: In basements, crawl spaces, and damp areas, use a dehumidifier to lower humidity levels and dry out wood.
- Repair Leaks: Fix any plumbing leaks, roof leaks, or foundation leaks promptly to prevent wood from becoming water-damaged.
- Improve Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation in crawl spaces and attics to prevent moisture buildup.
- Replace Damaged Wood: Replace any wood that is already water-damaged, rotting, or in direct contact with the ground, as this is highly attractive to carpenter ants.
Learn more about carpenter ant identification and prevention here.
Wasps
A queen wasp gathers material to begin building her nest Though most wasps die off in the late Fall, queen wasps will hide themselves away in a sheltered crack, enter diapause, and wait out the Winter. When temperatures consistently reach 50 degrees or higher, the queen wasp will emerge from hiding and build a nest. She will then lay her eggs and produce her first round of workers.
Catch It Early
The best time to stop a wasp infestation is before it starts! Inspect your eaves, attics, garage, decks and patio areas for wasp activity or the beginnings of a nest. Opt for a pressurized wasp and hornet spray that allows you to treat pests from a distance. We recommend targeting wasp nests at night to minimize the risk of being stung.
Remove Attractants:
Be sure your property is clear of potential food sources for wasps, including garbage and food wrappers. Wasps make their nests with wood pulp and saliva, so any untreated wood around your property can make your home an attractive nesting option.
65+ Degrees: Living Their Best Lives
By the time the temperature reaches 65 degrees, most New England insects and arachnids have emerged. Some may not be noticeable to humans until they’ve had a few more weeks or months to develop, but the warmer temperature will accelerate their growth. Temperatures below 65 degrees are ideal for controlling or eliminating pest insect populations, as most insects and arachnids do not breed well when it’s cooler outside.
Prevention is a key part of pest control. Knowing what conditions pests emerge will keep you one step ahead. Act immediately when you notice pest activity to prevent structural damage, disease risk, and itchy bites. If you’re dealing with an infestation that’s more than you can handle on your own, don’t hesitate to call a professional pest control service. They have the equipment and expertise to safely and effectively pest issues, ensuring your safety and peace of mind.