Spring is the time of year when we have the most problems with bugs in Colorado, and according to The National Pest Management Association’s latest Bug Barometer®, we are expecting to see worse-than-normal spring pest activity. Join us as we look at the conditions that are making things worse, and we’ll tell you how you can use this information to get in front of pest problems. Let’s dig into the facts!

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What is making this pest season worse in Colorado?

Dr. Jim Fredericks, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Pest Management Association, says, “spring and summer are already peak pest seasons, so we know that bugs are coming. But this year’s irregular weather patterns are accelerating pest activity, leading to earlier and more frequent encounters.” What is driving the pests? The quick temperature change, as well as extra moisture.

  • Ticks: A warm and wet spring will likely start the tick season earlier.
  • Mosquitoes: Unseasonably warm weather has kicked off an early mosquito season. Mosquitoes in Colorado thrive in humidity and breed in stagnant water.
  • Ants: Warm weather has awakened ants, and the extra moisture keeps these plentiful insects hydrated.
  • Cockroaches: Warm and moist cockroaches are busy insects, and they build their populations quickly. If forecasts of a hot and dry summer are accurate, we may see roaches entering homes and businesses in record numbers.
  • Rodents: An early start to a warm spring and summer will likely cause mouse and rat populations to boom. If we head into a hot and dry summer, all of those “extra” rodents will start getting into structures.

Now is the time to start thinking about how you can reduce pest activity on your property.

How to reduce spring pest activity on your Colorado property

We mentioned several pests that are likely to cause trouble this spring. Here are some general pest prevention tips and explanations as to how they will impact the pests we listed:

Remove stagnant water sources: All pests need water, and water sources can increase humidity. Wet/humid conditions impact all pest populations. Mosquitoes are uniquely affected by stagnant water because female mosquitoes lay 100 eggs at a time in stagnant water. This means a small water source in your yard can help create a swarm.

Water plants in the early morning to reduce dampness: Living creatures love landscaping, but damp landscaping is even more attractive to them. It lures ticks, mosquitoes, and cockroaches because these creatures require a high moisture content. Dampness also attracts aphids, which attack plants that are compromised by excess moisture. Aphids produce honeydew, and honeydew attracts ants and other pests.

Remove organic debris: Pests hide under leaves, sticks, and other plant debris. Remove these materials to make it harder for ants, cockroaches, and other pests to find ideal hiding places.

Keep trash covered: Many pests feed on organic material in trash receptacles and are attracted to the scent of decaying food. If you want to keep rodents, flies, ants, and other pests out, keep your trash covered. Also, consider using scented bags, getting your trash to the curb weekly, and cleaning trash receptacles if they start to smell.

You can apply these practical tips if you don’t mind setting aside the time and rolling your sleeves up. Unfortunately, life gets busy, and to-dos are often put on the back burner. This is why many people choose to get a pest control service plan. Let’s look at how this works.

The role of a professional pest control service

Professional pest control services are one of the smartest ways to stay ahead—especially when pest activity spikes. Our team doesn’t just show up with solutions that work—we show up on time, every time.

Ticks and Mosquito Control

Our seasonal mosquito and tick control services include routine treatments from May through September to address adult ticks and mosquitoes. We also address areas where these pests breed and develop.

Home Pest Control

EnviroPest’s ongoing home pest control plan targets ants, roaches, spiders, wasps, rodents, and other pests that frequently infest homes in Colorado Springs, Denver, and NoCo. We will look for conducive conditions and provide quarterly pest treatments to keep pests out.

Contact EnviroPest today and get ahead of spring pest activity!

Don’t wait for pests to make themselves at home in your home or yard this spring—get a head start with expert protection from EnviroPest. Our team is ready to help you tackle spring pests before they become a problem, with proven solutions and timely service you can count on. Contact us today!