3 Pests To Watch For This Spring

Spring is a magical time of year. The weather gets warmer. Flowers begin to bloom. It is a time of regrowth and renewal. With Spring beginning, this also means that all manner of pests that were dormant during the winter will be out in bunches. This can mean problems for your home and your sanity. A few bugs are especially pesky around springtime, but you don’t have to face them alone. To get to know what you’ll be dealing with, keep reading.

Boxelder Bugs

One of the predominant spring bugs to keep on your radar is boxelder bugs. As you might assume from their name, they feed on boxelder trees along with some other types of trees and shrubs. You’ll know it’s a boxelder bug because of its dark gray body with distinctive red striping.

While they become most noticeable in the spring, they enter your homes in early October, seeking warmth and shelter from the weather. However, they really come to life in the spring months and prove their annoyance. While they don’t pose many health threats, they can stain fabrics and other materials throughout your home.

Stink Bugs

Known for the smelly odor they emit when frightened, stink bugs are certainly at the bottom of your home’s preferred guest list. Similar to the boxelder bug, they enter your home in the fall and begin to stir and wreak havoc in the springtime.

What Do Stink Bugs Look Like?

Stink bugs are oval-shaped and typically measure around 17mm in length, with the majority of their bodies being green or brown in color. The antennae may also be banded with light yellow stripes that run along its entire length. They have a triangular shape on their backs with distinctive spots at each corner, which helps to distinguish them from other species of insects found in the area. Additionally, they possess piercing mouthparts used for sucking juices from vegetables and fruits, as well as certain plants and weeds where they can hide.

Outside of their characteristic odor, stink bugs don’t pose much of a threat to you or your home, but to keep things smelling fresh, we recommend preventing them from entering your house in the first place.

Asian Lady Beetles

Asian lady beetles are small, oval-shaped insects that measure about 1/4 to 3/8 inch in length. They vary in color from tan to bright orange or red and have black spots on their bodies and heads. These interesting insects get their name because they are native to parts of Asia, although they can now be found throughout much of the United States. Not to be mistaken with ladybugs, Asian lady beetles are slightly larger. Similar to stink bugs, when lady beetles feel threatened, they secrete a foul-smelling yellow liquid. This also happens when they are crushed, so avoid stepping on them to remove the nuisance.

What To Do If These Spring Bugs Enter Your Home

While none of these pests pose a direct health risk to your family and pets, the DIY methods often used to eliminate them are. If you suspect you have an infestation of any pest, it is important to partner with an experienced pest control company. At Frame’s Pest Control, we have been eliminating all types of pest infestations since 1972. To learn more about our pest control programs, request an appointment or call us at (419) 495-8283 to speak with an expert!