Love Is In The Air. And So Are Bugs

Springtime is a time of love. Folks strolling in the park hand in hand. Birds singing. New baby animals showing up everywhere. But is it just coincidence that this happens in spring? Or is there something happening, scientifically, behind the scenes? It turns out, scientists believe, that the newness of everything in spring causes a marked increase in the hormone dopamine. But this doesn't only happen in humans, it also happens in animals--and even in insects. Dopamine, sometimes called "the love hormone" causes people (and animals and insects) to couple up and, subsequently, to multiply. This can be a lovely thing if you are a human in love. But when dealing with insects in and around your home or business, it can be a real downer.

So what insects will we see multiplying this spring? Good question. The truth is, there is a multitude of insects that will increase when "love is in the air," but there are three that tend to plague our homes and businesses the most; ants, termites, and cockroaches.

Ants become more active in spring and begin looking for new nesting grounds, and food. Tiny black or brown house ants are attracted to any food that is left out or dropped on the floor. Continuous appearances of these little ants can be a sign of a large colony nearby that can be difficult to eradicate.

Termites. In spring, termites come out in large swarms. When temperatures reach the 70s, termite swarmers begin to emerge with one goal: spread the population of the colony. And once they get into your home, they will cause significant structural damage if they are not detected and eradicated promptly.

Cockroaches can live through long harsh winters, and when the weather warms up, they begin to multiply rapidly. They crawl into homes through vents, drain pipes, or gaps on the outside of your house, and they do it at night when they are least likely to be noticed. Since cockroaches are directly linked to the spread of serious diseases, and can cause or exacerbate asthma, especially in children, they are not a pest to be taken lightly. And once they have infested, they can be very difficult to get rid of completely.

How To Keep These Pests Out:

There are a number of steps you can take to exclude these springtime pests from your home or business. Sealing up gaps and cracks on the outside of your structure; removing clutter from your yard; removing standing water; keeping your house free of food particles; and keeping all garbage in tightly sealed containers, can go a long way in keeping pests at bay. But once these pests have infiltrated your defenses, it is a good idea to seek the help of a professional pest control company.

If you have spring pests invading your Maryland home or business, American Pest is here to help. With several money-saving pest control plans, we can keep your home or business pest-free. Contact us today to keep love in the air--and pests out. Springtime is just better without pests.