Spring warm-up brings increased pest activity, experts say
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – As temperatures begin warming across south-central Kentucky, pest control experts say homeowners may start noticing an increase in insects inside their homes.
Professionals say several common pests spend the winter hidden in attics and crawlspaces before becoming active again in the spring.
Jimmy Blankenship with Guarantee Pest Control says Asian beetles, stink bugs and cluster flies are among the most common pests people begin seeing this time of year.
“These insects overwinter in places like attics and sometimes crawlspaces,” Blankenship said. “Now that it’s warming up, they’re getting active and starting to come back out, and you’ll see them indoors as well as outside around your home.”
Experts say many of the insects spend warmer months outdoors in trees and fields before seeking shelter as temperatures drop. Once spring arrives, they begin emerging from those hiding spots.
Treatments often focus on the areas where insects gather during colder months.
Pest control professionals typically start by treating attics, then move to interior areas such as baseboards, windows and other small openings where insects can enter. Crawlspaces and exterior areas like eaves, shutters and shrubs may also be treated to prevent pests from moving further into the home.
Experts also say termite and ant activity could increase in the coming weeks as temperatures continue to rise.
They recommend homeowners collect a sample of any swarming insects they see and have it identified by a professional, as termites and ants can sometimes be mistaken for one another.
“The difference in cost of treatment can be a wide range,” Blankenship said.
Pest control professionals say preventative treatments can help reduce infestations, particularly if they are done before pests move indoors for the winter.
“If I were going to do my house once a year, I’d do it in the fall,” Blankenship said. “That’s when everything gets ready for winter and your home becomes shelter.”
