When winter is over and the weather starts to warm up, pests become more active. In the spring, many bugs and rodents leave their winter homes to breed and look for food and shelter that they can trust. During this time of year, people in Baltimore often see more ants, termites, mosquitoes, and other pests that they don’t want.
A lot of homeowners ask the same thing at the start of the season. Here are the answers to the most common questions about getting your Baltimore home ready for spring pests.
1. What Do I Need to Do to Prepare My Home for Spring Bugs in Baltimore?
If you know what to look for and what to do first, it’s not hard to keep bugs out of your house in the spring. You need to think about three things to get your house ready for spring pests: how easy it is for them to get in, how wet it is, and the weather outside. First, walk slowly around the outside of your house. Look closely at the edges of doors and windows, the lines of the foundation, and the places where utility pipes enter the building. Bugs and even mice can get in through small holes and cracks. Caulking or weather stripping these gaps can make it much harder for bugs to get in.
2. What Types of Bugs Are Most Common in the Spring?
It’s also important to know which bugs are most common in the spring. In the spring, this area is home to a lot of ants, termites, mosquitoes, spiders, stinging bugs, and rats. As soon as the weather gets warmer, ants start to look for food. Termites are swarming right now, and they could show up near lights or windows at any time. When it rains in the spring, pools of water become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. If you know what to look for, you can see early warning signs instead of being surprised.
3. How Do Bugs Get Into Homes in the Spring?
Most bugs get in through tiny holes, cracks, and spaces. Check the windows, doors, foundation lines, and the area around utility pipes very carefully. Even the smallest cracks can let bugs and mice in.
4. Where in My House Should I Look First for Places Where Pests Might Be Able to Get In?
Take a slow walk around your house and look at:
- Frames for doors and windows
- Lines for the base
- Places where utility lines enter the building
Using caulk or weather stripping to seal these holes is a simple but effective way to keep pests out.
5. Why Is It So Important to Control Moisture to Keep Pests Away?
Controlling moisture is one of the most powerful but least talked about ways to keep pests away. Many spring pests like to live in wet places. If your gutters are clogged, your drainage is poor, your outdoor faucets leak, or your basement is damp, pests will be drawn to those areas. Cleaning the gutters, making the downspouts longer, fixing leaks, and lowering the humidity inside make your property look a lot less appealing.
6. How Can I Make My Yard Less Inviting to Bugs?
Taking care of the outside is just as important. Pests can hide and move around in bushes that are too big, tree branches that touch the siding or roofline, piles of leaves, and firewood that is stored near the house. Cleaning up your yard, trimming plants, and keeping the edges clear will get rid of these places where pests can hide and make them less active.
7. What Are Some Signs That Termites Might Be Living in My House?
Termites are most active in the spring. Look for:
- Termites that fly inside
- Small piles of wings that have been thrown away close to the windows
- Mud tubes along the bottoms
- Wood that sounds empty
Setting up a spring inspection is one of the best ways to find termites early.
8. Should I Wait Until I See Bugs Before I Ask for Help?
A lot of people are interested in this. In fact, spring is the best time to get care that will keep you from getting sick. It’s usually better and cheaper to take care of pest problems early, before they get worse and spread.
9. What Do Ants and Other Insects Do in the Spring?
When the weather gets warmer, ants and other bugs start to move around more. Ants start looking for food right away, and mosquitoes start to breed in still water. Finding problems early and taking simple steps to fix them, like sealing food containers and getting rid of things that attract pests, can make a big difference.
10. How Can I Keep Bugs Out of My House All Year?
There is more than one thing you need to do to get your home ready for spring bugs. We need to reset for the season now:
- Close up any holes or gaps and block off any entry points.
- Remove moisture from places that are likely to get it.
- Pick up the trash that is in the yard and around the house.
- Look for signs of activity early on.
If you do these things now, your house will be safe when the bugs are at their worst.
Ready to get your Baltimore home prepared for spring? Contact Queen “B” Pest Services today for a free estimate and professional spring pest inspection.
