Springtime in Chicago is one of the most beautiful times of the year. As the weather begins to warm, bringing the freshness of spring and the trees and flowers will begin waking up from their hibernation. As nature begins to slowly wake up, so do many insects that will quickly begin to swarm, causing frustration for many people as they battle these insects in their yards and homes.
Common Swarming Pests in Chicago
Many insects will leave their winter hiding spots as the weather slowly begins to warm up in the spring. They travel, often in big groups called swarms, in search of food, a mate or a place to establish a new colony. The most common springtime swarming insects in the Greater Chicago area are:
- Midges: Midges, also called gnats, are small harmless flies. They are known to create massive black swarms in areas around water in late spring as the males look for mates. Midges look similar to mosquitos but do not have the ability to bite.
- Ants: Ants are known to swarm in the spring as they look for food and to establish new colonies. Swarming flying ants are normally easily identified by their thin waist, long legs and forewings that are much larger than the hindwings. While most people only find ants bothersome, some ants are known for their nasty bites while others can cause damage to your home.
- Termites: Termites have four large wings,a long, thick abdomen and short legs. Seeing a termite in your home is most homeowners’ worst nightmare. Termites are one of the most destructive insects to a home. They will burrow into and eat wood within your home, often causing thousands of dollars in damage.
- Bees and Wasps: Bees can be identified by their round black and yellow bodies. They will seek out open cavities to build their nests such as hollow trees, under sheds, in the eves of a home or even in your home’s siding. Wasps will have thin long bodies with tiny waists. They will often build nests in trees or the eves of a home.
How to Keep Pests Out of Your Home and Yard
Springtime is the best time to take preventative measures to keep pests out of your yard and home. Pests are not just bothersome, some are known to cause damage to your home, therefore it is important to keep these pests out of your home and yard before they become a bigger problem. Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep pests away.
- Seal Entry Points: It is important to regularly inspect your home’s exterior and seal cracks or holes you may find. Pests can enter your home through even the smallest hole.
- Keep Doors and Windows Closed: An open door or window is an invitation into your house for many pests. Make sure to keep any doors or windows that do not have a screen closed to keep swarming pests from entering your home.
- Stack Firewood Away From Your Home: Firewood provides a perfect hiding space as well as a food source for pests like termites. Keep firewood stacks elevated off the ground and at least 20 feet away from your home.
- Clean the Kitchen Regularly: To ensure you do not have any unwanted dinner guests, make sure to clean any spilled food or drinks quickly and store open food in airtight containers.
- Pick Up Yard Debris: Many insects like to hide in piles of decaying yard debris while others will be attracted to fallen rotting fruit from your trees. Be sure to collect and dispose of any yard waste promptly before it attracts any pests.
- Eliminate Water Sources: Pest will swarm to areas that have easily accessible sources of water. Drain any standing water in your yard and fix any leaky hoses or faucets inside and outside of your home to keep pests at bay.
Spring Pest Control
Spring should be a time of happiness and renewal but swarming pests can turn it into a nightmare for some homeowners. If you are tired of dealing with springtime pests, give the experts at Terminix Anderson a call. Our expert technicians will make sure your yard and home are pest free any time of the year. Contact us today for a free quote!
