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Michael Radovic

Common Springtime Pests



Coming into the spring, home and business owners all over Long Island can start to expect the usual spring pests to emerge from their winter hibernation. Just like any living thing, when a pest awakes from a long winter sleep, they are going to be hungry, and your home is filled with just what they want.


What are common Springtime pests on Long Island?


When it comes to springtime pests, we have quite a variety of bugs to watch out for. Some of these pests are extremely destructive, some are a nuisance, and some can even be a serious health issue for you and your family.


Flies


Nothing lets you know spring is coming quite like seeing a bunch of flies. These annoying pests reach maturity at the start the spring, so they are some of the first bugs you will see when the weather starts to warm up. It is true that the common house fly has a very short life span, about a month, give or take. However, in that short span of time, flies can do quite a bit of damage. Flies are attracted to garbage, especially when there is a significant amount of food waste. Many flies are also attracted to pet and other animal waste. Now think of that when you leave a door is left open and a fly gets in. Now they are landing on your surfaces and finding food, contaminating everything in their wake. Flies have been associated with salmonella and dysentery along with more than 60 other illnesses all over the world.


Mosquitoes and Ticks


Most people think that you need to be in a preserve or out camping to encounter mosquitoes and ticks. The truth is you can be attacked by these annoying and potentially dangerous insects right in your own backyard. Without proper proactive pest control measure, the simple act of going into your own backyard can lead to getting inundated with mosquitoes and simply walking through your grass can lead to ticks latching on and burrowing deep into your skin, often without you even realizing it.

Mosquitoes and ticks have been associated with some dangerous, long-term, and even fatal diseases, such as Lyme disease, West Nile Virus, and Zika Virus. There has also been a rise in population of the Lone Star Tick which unlike the deer tick, which is known for spreading Lyme Disease, can lead to different potentially dangerous illnesses such as southern tick-associated rash illness or STARI. STARI has been associated with arthritis, neurologic disease, or chronic symptoms. The Lone Star Tick has also been associated with Alpha-Gal Syndrome, which includes a food allergy to red meat and other animal-based food and products.


Stink Bugs


While stink bugs are more of a problem later in the year, they emerge from hibernation and scavenge for food in the early spring. Stink bugs are not a known vector for illnesses, however, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned if you start to see stink bugs in your home. They are prolific procreators, so if you don’t catch them early, you can quickly have an infestation on your hands. They are also called stink bugs for a reason, giving off an odor if they feel they are in danger or if they are killed. The odor is supposed to repel predators, however, the stink can actually attract predators, so an untreated stink bug infestation can lead to bigger problems.


Bees and Wasps


Bees and wasps become active in the spring looking for places to set up nests and hives. Bees and wasps are vital for the environment since they are excellent pollinators, however, they can also pose a threat to your and your family. While bees and most wasps will not attack unless they feel threatened, there are wasps that are extremely aggressive and will attack at the slightest provocation. Yellow Jackets, which are very common on Long Island, can extremely vicious. They take the mere presence of someone as a threat, and they will attack even if unprovoked.


There are no shortage of pests on Long Island, and unfortunately, many of the common pests in the area are harbingers of illness and even serious structural damage to your home, such as carpenter ants, which are another springtime pest.

Don’t wait for the pests to come to call us.If you are a home or business owner, call Luxe Pest Control. We will eradicate the pests that you have and come up with a plan to make sure they do not return. Call us at 800-585-LUXE (5893) to set up an appointment.

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