Massachusetts Bug Watch: Which Insects to Look Out for This Spring

As the weather warms, Boston students enjoy spring break, families head out into the fresh air, and the sweet smell of new blooms perfumes the air. However, the warmer weather also invites bugs that were bedded down for the winter to stretch their legs and reemerge. Many Massachusetts homeowners don’t notice spring bugs until they are already present in large numbers in their house or on their property, and by then, it may be too late to stop an infestation easily.

The good news is that homeowners can stay ahead of any pest infiltration and stop it by knowing what to look for in advance. Here are the main bugs to watch for, how to know if they are a problem, and what to do about them.

Ants

Ants are some of the most common springtime pests, as the new smorgasbord of food sources drives the entire colony to stock up. Pay attention to baseboards and semi-secluded areas, which may be hiding trails of ants. Also, check stored food to see if cardboard containers or bags have holes in them.

The best way to stop ants is to make your home less appealing to them. Clean up crumbs from the floor and store food in glass containers. If you see ants, learn where they are coming from and block their entry point.

Mosquitoes

Perhaps the most hated bug all spring is the mosquito. This airborne insect can do more than cause itchy welts; it may also carry illnesses such as West Nile virus. Mosquitoes breed using standing water; even a bottle cap’s worth is enough. Clear your property of these water sources or, if you can’t, use options such as mosquito dunks to make these damp areas inhospitable for mosquito larvae.

Wasps

While bees offer significant benefits to the environment and care little about their human neighbors, wasps are not so generous. Wasps can be easily provoked, inflicting a painful sting that some humans are allergic to. Look for nests around the property, especially in sheltered corners near soffits and doors, under lawn furniture, and nestled among children’s outdoor play sets.

Wasp nests come in a variety of looks, from a honeycomb pattern to large, hanging lantern-like paper hives. It’s best to have a pest control professional remove these hives, as doing so on your own can be dangerous, even if you are not allergic. Being stung by a swarm of wasps can result in a medical emergency, even for individuals who are not allergic.

Earwigs

Earwigs are slender bugs with powerful pinchers. While they often try to avoid humans, they will consume outdoor foliage, which could ruin the hard work you’ve put into your spring landscaping. They prefer to hide in dark, damp, cramped spaces, so clean up your garage and air out your home to reduce their favored resting spots. A pinch from an earwig does not contain any venom, but it can certainly be painful.

Ticks

Another dangerous springtime pest, the tick can be a discreet hitchhiker on both pets and humans. These round, bulbous bugs bury their heads into the skin to feast on a mammal’s blood. During this time, they may also transmit illnesses, of which the most common is Lyme disease. Lyme does not always produce the characteristic bull’s-eye mark, so it is important for families to stop ticks early so that no illnesses go unnoticed.

Ticks like the shelter of tall grass, so keep your lawn manicured and remove weeds. This not only saves your ankles from wandering ticks but also increases the availability of these bugs for birds and other predators who keep their numbers down.

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald ash borer beetles have been spotted in Massachusetts, and that’s not good news for ash trees. These beetles attack ash trees relentlessly, gradually killing them from the inside. So far, these invasive pests have destroyed tens of millions of ash trees. If you have ash trees on your property, be proactive about treating them to prevent the infiltration of these problematic bugs.

If not, keep an eye out for these long, bright green beetles, and report any sightings to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources to help protect the greenery that makes this state so beautiful.

Stop Spring Bugs in Their Tracks

Spring bugs are a normal part of the ecosystem, but that does not mean you need to welcome them into your home. As insect populations surge this spring, it is important to stay ahead of any potential infestations. If your own strategies are not working or if you need guidance on how to approach a specific pest problem, the professionals at Spartan Animal & Pest Control can help. Contact Spartan to set up an appointment and stop bugs in their tracks.