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When warm temperatures arrive, pests start to come out. For many, that means more bites, buzzes, and infestations. With climate shifts playing a growing role, pest patterns are changing, making it harder to predict what’s coming. But that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare.
From mosquitoes to ants and everything in between, we’re breaking down what you need to know about this year’s pest outlook, and how to keep your home a little more peaceful in spite of the risk of vector-borne diseases.
Mosquito Season Typically Starts in April
Mosquito season used to be a warm-weather thing. Now, it’s stretching further on both ends. “For the majority of the United States, mosquito season starts in late spring (April/May) and extends through summer (August/September),” says Emma Grace Crumbley, an Entomologist with Mosquito Squad Plus. “Some southern states experience an even longer mosquito season as temperatures remain favorable later into the fall months.”
The biggest problem isn’t just warm temperatures; it’s the moisture that creates the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitos. Crumbley explains, “Rising temperatures are allowing the atmosphere to hold more water, resulting in historic rainfall and increased flooding throughout many regions in the United States.” This leads to more standing water and more mosquito hatching grounds.
If you’ve noticed adult mosquitoes showing up earlier or sticking around into late fall, you’re not alone. Mosquito eggs and mosquito larvae are already making themselves at home in many parts of the country, and it’s not likely to go away anytime soon.
Ants, Roaches, and Other Creepers Love Your Kitchen
While the mosquito population gets most of the attention (so needy), they’re not the only pests that love a warm home. Ants, cockroaches, and even flies thrive indoors, especially once they find food and water sources. Spring and summer months are their busiest outdoors, but they’re quick to move in if your home offers what they need.
Roaches, for example, can squeeze into small cracks and love damp places like under sinks or behind appliances. Ants are all about food—they’ll keep marching back as long as crumbs and spills are available. Even fruit flies can take over quickly if fresh produce is left out or trash cans aren’t cleaned regularly.
Simple habits make a big difference here. Keeping surfaces clean, storing food properly, and fixing leaks can help reduce the odds of an infestation. It won’t eliminate pests completely, but it does make your home less inviting.
How to Get Ahead of Pests Before They Take Over
Waiting until you have a problem usually means a bigger mess to fix. Start early, especially with pests that are tied to weather patterns. Mosquitoes need water to breed, so don’t give them a place to do it. “Anything that holds even a small amount of standing water can become a mosquito breeding ground,” says Crumbley. That includes buckets, clogged gutters, birdbaths, and toys left outside.
Proactive treatments around your property go a long way, too. We've used Pestie for perimeter management, and Zevo sprays for treating problem areas inside the home. Last year, spiders and ants were a big issue early in the season, and the combination of treatments was a success. Thermacell also has some products worth considering: it's E65 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller clears mosquitos in a 20-foot radius (perfect for outdoor activities), and not that we're talking about ticks right now, but its Tick Control Tubes can help you reduce the number of ticks outdoors.
Here’s a quick checklist to reduce pest activity around your home:
- Empty any stagnant water from containers, and do it every week
- Repair screen doors and windows to block bugs from getting inside
- Trim bushes and grass to reduce hiding spots
- Store food in sealed containers
- Take trash out regularly and clean bins to prevent buildup
- Check for leaks under sinks and appliances
