Every season brings a new cycle of pests that are ready to infest properties in search of food, shelter and water. While some pests may be a greater nuisance than others, a pest infestation can lead to major health and safety issues for you and your property if not quickly addressed. Therefore, it is important to know which pests are most common during each season so you can deal with a seasonal pest infestation before it grows out of control.
The Life Cycles of Seasonal Pests
Understanding the life cycle of pests is a crucial part of knowing how to tackle seasonal pest control. A pest’s life cycle goes through four main stages:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Adult
The lengths of each stage vary from pest to pest and may be impacted by other factors like the local climate and access to food and water.
Common Types of Seasonal Pests
Identifying a pest’s life cycle stage will help you know when they will lay their eggs and allow you to be more proactive about preventing an infestation.
Common Spring Pests
- Mosquitos are typically active in May or June but can appear as early as February in some places.
- Ladybugs are most active between spring and fall. During the colder months, ladybugs tend to seek shelter indoors, underneath rocks or in rotting logs.
- Ticks start to appear from March to May but can be active whenever the temperature is above freezing.
- Spiders are typically most active in late spring even though they can live year-round.
Common Summer Pests
- Bees start to become active in the spring but are commonly seen during the summer months.
- Ants multiply during the warm summer months. They typically enter homes at the first scent of anything sweet or greasy. A colony of black ants will invade your home If you don’t take the proper preventative steps.
- Fruit flies are most active during the late summer months. They’re attracted to ripe or rotting food.
- Pincher bugs are active during the spring and summer. However, they tend to be nocturnal and rarely invade homes.
- Termites are most active during warmer months, especially on a warm summer day after rainfall.
Common Fall Pests
- Stink bugs are most active in early fall when the weather is still relatively warm. They can invade any part of your home.
- Cockroaches are in search of warmth, shelter and food during the fall and winter months, causing them to enter your home.
- Beetles are most active during the fall in preparation for hibernation. They’re attracted to any room with warmth and food.
Common Winter Pests
- Box elders are commonly seen on cold winter days. They typically hide in basements where it’s warm.
- Bed bugs seek warmth by making their way into your home. However, they’re usually transmitted through second-hand furniture and clothing.
Seasonal Pest Control Tips
Seasonal pest control should be scheduled routinely, as pests invade properties year round, regardless of the season. To combat seasonal pests while you wait for professional pest control assistance, try some of these seasonal pest control tips:
- Seal cracks and openings to prevent pest entry
- Implement outdoor pest control measures
- Install screens to keep flying pests out
- Eliminate standing water to limit breeding sites
- Trim trees and shrubs around your home regularly
- Store food sources in secure containers
- Store firewood away from your home
- Keep the kitchen clean and free of crumbs
- Inspect and vacuum mattresses regularly
- Carefully inspect packages before bringing them inside
If the above tips don’t keep persistent pests out of your property, contact the seasonal pest control professionals at Critter Control® of Pittsburgh.
Seasonal Pest Control Services in Pittsburgh
To maintain a pest-free property year-round, rely on the effective and experienced pest control technicians at Critter Control® of Pittsburgh. Our licensed and trained experts will quickly and safely remove nuisance pests and other invasive wildlife from your Pennsylvania property and keep them from returning. To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our fast and efficient pest control services, call Critter Control® of Pittsburgh today at 412-767-4067.
