New England in springtime has inspired poets for countless generations. It inspires us, too, but sometimes, the everyday hassles of the season can mar our enjoyment of it. This is especially true of springtime pests. Fortunately, learning about the most common house pests in spring can help you keep them out of your home.
Bugs
When spring rolls around again, we welcome the return of bumblebees and butterflies. But not all bugs are quite as welcome. Some can damage our homes and garden if we aren’t careful.
Property-Damaging Bugs
Termites
Some of the most common springtime house pests are termites. These white or grey wood-boring bugs don’t often announce their presence loudly. But you may notice termite pellets that look similar to piles of sand, coffee, or soil, or discarded wings that look like fish scales. Older structures are especially susceptible to termites, so stay vigilant if you live in a historic home.
Carpenter Bees
People don’t usually think of bees as causing structural damage, but carpenter bees are a notable exception. These bees look like their gentler cousin, the bumblebee, but their females can burrow into the walls of homes to lay their eggs. These holes are the main sign that they’ve invaded your space.
Garden-Damaging Bugs
Vine Weevil Larvae
As you start digging in your garden, you may unearth a white, pill-shaped bug with a dark head. These little babies will grow up to be vine weevils. They tend to burrow into plant roots, especially rhododendrons, azaleas, and mountain laurels. Using diatomaceous earth and sticky traps can help stop them in their tracks.
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
If you started your spring garden by planting trees, you must guard against pests. And if your new tree is an apple, cherry, hawthorn, oak, ash, or maple, you’ll want to protect against eastern tent caterpillars. These little black caterpillars create silken nests in your trees and feed on the leaves. For new trees, this defoliation can prove lethal.
Animals
Bugs aren’t the only critters that may show up at your house to play in the spring. As the weather gets warmer, many types of wildlife may show up, including:
- Mice
- Raccoons
- Deer
- Bats
- Squirrels
- Skunks
- Snakes
These creatures aren’t necessarily dangerous in themselves, but they can cause problems for your garden, garbage, or even pets. To avoid this, try to keep garbage cans secure and plant wildlife-deterring plants around your garden, such as thistles, mint, and sage.