SEASONAL PEST EXTERMINATORS – CONTROL – REMOVAL

Common Seasonal Pests Around Albuquerque

Some insects, like cockroaches and bed bugs, are active regardless of the season. However, many pests are most active during specific times of the year. Seasonal pests can differ depending on your area and climate, so it’s important to know which pests are a problem in your area. In Albuquerque, these are the pests you can expect during each season of the year:

Spring Pests

Many people associate spring with the beginning of pest season for a good reason! As nature begins to wake up from its winter hibernation, many insects will also emerge from their winter hiding. Here in Albuquerque, the most common springtime pests include:

• Ticks: If you’ve ever taken your dog out on a spring hike, you know how common these parasites can be in the spring. They are often found in areas with brush or high vegetation and present a real danger to you and your furry friends. Ticks are known to transmit Lyme disease and other serious illnesses.
• Termites: These tiny, wood-eating pests are considered one of the most destructive insects in the United States. Termites can be elusive and hard to spot. They typically swarm in the spring to reproduce, which makes spring the perfect time to check for termites.
• Carpenter ants: Similar to termites, carpenter ants can cause damage to your home by tunneling through its wooden structure to build their nests. Though they are most active in the summer, they usually begin to swarm in the spring.
• Pocket Gophers: These small, burrowing rodents are aptly named for their fur-line cheek pockets they use to carry food back to their burrows. As they travel back and forth, enjoying the spring vegetation, these pesky rodents will leave unsightly dirt piles all over your lawn.

Summer Pests

Most people associate summertime with buzzing and stinging insects. The warm weather and blossoming plants provide most insects with everything they need to thrive and multiply. In Albuquerque, you will commonly find these pests during the summer:

• Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are one of the most common summertime pests. Their bites will not only leave you with itchy red bumps, but they can also transmit diseases such as malaria and West Nile Virus, which could lead to long-term health issues. 
• Bees and wasps: While bees and wasps benefit our ecosystem, they can also pose safety hazards if they nest nearby, especially to those allergic to their painful stings. Stinging insects are common during the summer due to the increased availability of food and warm weather.
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are a year-round pest but many people experience infestations in the summer due to travel. It’s easy to accidentally pick up bed bugs at a hotel, on an airplane, or in other public places you may frequent during the summer.

Fall Pests

As summer ends and temperatures begin to drop, some rodents and insects will try to sneak indoors, looking for food and shelter to last them during the colder months. These are the most common pests you will find around your home in the fall: 

• Boxelder bugs: During the fall, boxelder bugs can often be found congregating in large numbers on the sunny sides of buildings. As the temperatures drop, they may enter homes in search of warmth. While these insects are harmless, they are known to stain surfaces with their droppings.
• Mice: These furry pests enter your home during the fall in search of food and shelter. As with other rodents, mice can damage your home and spread diseases and illnesses to humans. 
• Stink bugs: Stink bugs are named for the foul-smelling odor they release when frightened. They are most commonly found near windows or doors as they try to enter your home, looking to escape the cold weather. 
• Pocket Gophers: As the temperature drops, pocket gophers will begin collecting tubers, bulbs and roots to store in their burrows, allowing them to survive the winter. You may find your lawn pockmarked with dirt piles as they search out food.

Winter Pests

Nobody likes being out in the cold, and that includes pests! With Albuquerque’s cold winters, pests often seek warmth and food in our homes. In the winter, you are more likely to find these pests around your home:

• House centipedes: With up to 90 pairs of long legs and the ability to run extremely fast, house centipedes can be frightening to find. These harmless pests are typically found in dark and damp environments such as basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces, where they feed on smaller insects.
• Silverfish: Despite their appearance, silverfish are not harmful to humans. They enjoy eating paper products and are often found in areas of high humidity, like bathrooms and kitchens.

How to Avoid Seasonal Pests

Preventing seasonal pests can be tricky. Luckily, general pest prevention measures will keep most pests out of your home and yard. Stay proactive and follow these simple steps to keep pests away:

• Routinely inspect your home and property
• Seal any holes or cracks in your home
• Keep grass short and trim any trees or bushes touching your house
• Repair leaking faucets
• Clean your kitchen regularly and seal food in airtight containers
• Work with a professional pest control company