Common Seasonal Pests in Kansas
Certain pests are more
prevalent at specific times of the year than
others. Below is a "by-season" summary of some common
pests known
to invade your home in our area.
Spring
Clover
mites
In
the spring time homeowners may start seeing pests such as "clover
mites" that feed on new
emergent grass outside, but can invade a home
by the thousands.This is a common mite that typically
infests "fescue lawns". It becomes a household pest in early spring
because large numbers of them may crawl up on the south and east sides
of houses, on cool sunny mornings, to warm themselves, and sometimes
they come inside. The appear as small reddish/brown dots moving on the
walls. On the inside they are attracted to lights, so are more
prevalent around windows. Do not crush them, as they will
stain.Minimization of lawn watering will also minimize clover mites, as
they love wet conditions in the grass.
Ants
The
warm spring temperatures commonly will make "ants" active,
looking for food and nesting locations. The most
common
ant in our area is the "house ant", which is a very small black
to dark brownish ant. Commonly seen on kitchen counter tops, they are
most attracted to many of the same foods we eat, so it
important to keep foods cleaned up and stored in tightly sealed
containers. Because this particular breed of ant commonly nest in wall
voids, it is important to have us treat for them, before they breed and
become a real nuisance.
Termites
This
is the time of year when termites
typically make their nuptial breeding flights, which are often called
"swarms", as the termites may come out in large numbers. A swarm will
typically take place on a warm, sunny, spring day. The temperature is
usually between 70 and 80 degrees and the swarm usually occurs a day or
two after a rainstorm. Swarmers can appear on the interior or exterior
of you home, if so you should call us immediately. Below you will see
the complete life cycle of a termite.
Summer
The
summer
brings a peak of insect activity, which brings on a large population of
spiders to feed on the abundance of insects. This area is
common for Brown
Recluse spiders. The
bite of the brown recluse spider can result in a painful, deep wound
that takes a long time to heal. Fatalities are extremely rare, but
bites are most dangerous to young children, the elderly, and those in
poor physical condition.
Another
common pest, we see and treat for in this area, is
silverfish.
Fall
In
the fall cooling temperatures have most creatures seeking shelter. The
main pest problem in the fall are mice
and crickets. Although an
abundance of other pests can seek shelter in your home.
Winter
The
winter is a time when pets that came in during the fall are now in your
home hibernating. Targeting applications of pesticides to known
hibernation areas in homes and other buildings often significantly
reduces the upcoming Spring pests, as the breeding adult pests are
eliminated.
Common
pests over the winter are ants, spiders, silverfish,
roaches, crickets, beetles, fleas, mice and a multitude of other pests
that can go undetected until the warming Spring weather brings them out
of hibernation.
Betts Pest Control regular
services can prevent many pest problems from every occurring, as our
technicians are ever vigilant to the the seasonal pest prevention
measures that need to be taken. Contact
Betts Pest Control today for all seasons protection of pests in your
home.
