From Winter to Spring: The Bug Transition in Massachusetts Homes

Spring’s warm temperatures and longer daylight hours can seem to breathe new life into your household. Yet these changes usher in a less pleasant transition: from winter bugs to spring pests. If you have been working to prevent household insect invaders, it is helpful to understand how the changing seasons can also change their behaviors.

For homeowners looking to get ahead of any springtime bug swarms on their property, knowing which bugs will be heading out and which ones are now in the market for a new home will keep you on track for an insect-free house. Here’s what to expect during the seasonal transition of Massachusetts insects.

The Winter Bugs That Leave

With the warmer weather, some bugs that previously occupied your home will likely head out into the wild again, where their preferred food is more plentiful and they can find mates. These include the following:

Spiders

Now that more insects are afoot outside, spiders often transition from indoor webs to larger, outdoor nets. This strategic shift allows them to catch larger prey more consistently and provides the humidity they need to molt and reproduce.

Stink bugs

Many people are unaware that stink bugs can fly because they rarely do so inside homes. However, as temperatures rise, they may fly off into the greenery to seek nourishment from their preferred food sources: fruits, seeds, and plant stalks.

Winter moths

As their name suggests, winter moths are mostly active during the cold months. Once spring arrives, they leave the security of human homes to lay eggs whose larvae burrow into the soft spring soil to pupate.

The Winter Bugs That Stay

Some bugs have no real preference for outside conditions; instead, they prefer the consistent food and shelter afforded by human homes.

Roaches

Roaches are opportunistic insects that choose any moderately dark place with sufficient food. Homeowners battling a roach infestation will not likely see any difference in their numbers across seasons.

Bed bugs

Because bed bugs feast on humans, it makes no difference to them what the weather is outside. They remain in soft textiles such as mattress seams until they are treated, regardless of the season.

The Bugs That Arrive

While some bugs may be leaving your home, others are just arriving alongside the increased sunlight and springtime rains.

Ants

Ants hibernate during the winter, so as soon as the season turns, they are ready to scour the nearby territory for anything that can support their colonies. This often means entering human homes in search of crumbs, food packaged in chewable containers such as cardboard, and water sources such as bathroom condensation. Massachusetts homeowners are more likely to notice an uptick in the number of ants around their property if they do not take proactive measures.

Termites

While termites are technically active year-round, they are much more industrious in the spring. The cold weather that caused constriction of moist, delicate wood fibers has given way to warmer temperatures that allow wood to become softer and easier to chew. Thus, many homeowners may notice that wooden structures of their home suddenly seem to sport small trenches or holes where there were none over the winter.

Ticks

Ticks rely on the blood of mammals to continue their life cycle, and most mammalian life beds down for the winter. Once all these animals are back out foraging (or playing, in the case of humans), ticks are presented with a veritable smorgasbord of options. They come out in numbers in the spring to take full advantage of the seasonal shift.

Mosquitoes

If there is one bug that Massachusetts homeowners associate with warmer weather, it is mosquitoes. These buzzing pests carry disease and inflict itchy bites. They rely on stagnant water to hatch their larvae, so they cannot thrive during the frozen winter. Remove water from the property (e.g., empty buckets) to reduce mosquitoes in spring.

Protect Your Home No Matter the Season

While the spring weather may spell an exciting change to outdoor activities, it also causes noticeable shifts in the types of bugs you see inside and around your home. The best way to get ahead of any pest problems is to call in the professionals.

Spartan Animal & Pest Control can help you shore up your home against insect invasion, and we can also address existing infestations before they get worse. Contact Spartan to schedule an appointment!