7 warm-weather pests to watch out for this spring

As nature reawakens and things come to life, warmer weather also awakens some unwelcome enemies. In preparation for spring, get reacquainted with the first pests of the season that may appear.

Ants

While it’s not uncommon to see ants in the winter, warmer weather really brings them out in force. Worker ants begin to emerge from their hibernation underground, and after a long rest, they begin to forage for the first food of the season.

A lone ant may look harmless, but their keen scouting abilities can quickly lead to a colony on your counter. If you spot an intruder in your home, remove them and clean up the area where they were. This helps eliminate their scent trail, making them less likely to return for a stealthy snack.

Ticks

It may be tempting to frolic in a newly opened field of flowers, but be aware that you may be getting a ride.

Ticks like to lurk in tall grass, where they can silently attach themselves to you. The best way to prevent these little bloodsuckers is to check yourself regularly when you’re outdoors. Ticks can also enter your body through your pets, so treating them with tick medication can help a lot.

If you notice spots appearing on your skin that weren't there before, remove the ticks from your body as soon as possible. The longer they stay on you, the more damage they can cause, so act quickly with tweezers.

Stink Bugs

Are your bed bugs feeling stingy? Warm weather and foul odors are good indicators that these bugs are back.

These shield-shaped insects pose no threat to humans, but if they feel threatened, things can get smelly. Bed bugs hang around the house seeking shelter, so sealing off entrances will help keep them out. If the sweet-smelling intruder makes its way inside, resist the urge to squash it, or you'll be in for a stinky send-off.

Snakes

As cold-blooded creatures, snakes are among the first animals to come out to enjoy the sun. Unless they're lying in a warm area, snakes tend to stay under cover, which makes spotting them a little more difficult than other pests. Trimming back all the spring greenery near your home will give snakes a good reason to stay away.

In areas like Arizona, awareness of specific snake species, like rattlesnakes, is crucial. If you see one of these venomous snakes near your home after the weather warms up, call a professional immediately to remove it. It’s not worth the risk of getting bitten trying to handle a snake yourself.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are the biggest nuisance of all pests, and warm weather means they’re back to suck blood. These pesky insects aren’t shy about making their presence known, so if you don’t see them buzzing around, you’ll definitely feel their bite.

Mosquitoes thrive in standing water, and bird baths can quickly become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Walk around your yard and remove any standing water you find. If you want to enjoy the spring breeze without letting mosquitoes in, make sure your window screens don’t have any cracks that allow these pests to get through.

Box Bugs

Blooming leaves are all the rage for some insects, but box bugs are attracted to trees for another reason—sap.

Once the weather warms up, trees produce more sap, which these reddish-black bugs feed on and even lay their eggs in to start their season of reproduction. Box bugs aren't dangerous, but they can be annoying. Although all they really need is a tree, box bugs don't mind making a cozy home in your home.

Box bugs often congregate on walls that are exposed to sunlight, and once they get close to your home, they can easily slip in through cracks. If a swarm of box bugs gets in, vacuum them out and put the bugs back where they belong.

Wasps

Queen bees are the only ones that make it through the winter, but they can quickly grow in strength. Once a queen builds a nest large enough to lay her eggs, a whole new swarm of wasps will appear in just a few weeks.

To prevent these pests from arriving or stop their numbers from growing, you have to find and remove their nests. Wasps are skilled architects, and sheltered areas like the corners of your home are ideal places to build nests. Check these areas regularly in early spring so you can spot nests early.

While you can use wasp and hornet killing products yourself, it's best to call in a professional because wasps can be dangerous. Once the nest is destroyed, you can hang a fake nest near your home to keep other wasps away. These stinging insects are very territorial and will fly away if they see one.