What To Know About Seasonal MD Pest Control

As a homeowner, you have plenty to look forward to with the coming of each new season, from changing weather to holiday decorations and more.
 
Getting your home prepared for those seasonal changes, though, also means paying attention to the pests that come with them. Just like we have our own calendar, seasonal pests stick to theirs, as certain indoor and outdoor pests show up like clockwork.
 
Taking care of your home and preventing those pests takes a consistent effort. To help you get your home ready for each new season, we’re presenting the below list of pests you may encounter.

Which Pests Are a Problem in The Fall?Autumn means leaves changing colors and pumpkin-spiced everything. The days cooling down also seems to be an invitation for pests to stick around. Below, we’re looking at which ones can be handled by fall seasonal MD pest control.

Indoor Fall Pests in the MD AreaSeptember
 
●      Ladybugs: Though often thought of as a sign for good luck when they land on us outside, these insects can become problematic inside. In the fall, the dropping temperatures tend to push ladybugs inside, where they can become a bit more of a hassle.
●      Stink Bugs: These insects may be harmless, but they certainly are pests. This well-known bug is also well-named: once stepped on or smashed, they set off a foul smell. Plus, they tend to group together, which makes them even harder to control.
 
October
 
●      Bed Bugs: This fall period covers Labor Day through Thanksgiving, a period of high travel activity. And when there’s more travel, there tends to be more cases of bed bug infestations.
●      Boxelder Bugs: Like the stink bug, this black-and-red marked bug is harmless (though it looks a bit scarier!). Also like the stink bug, the boxelder bugs release a foul smell when you smash them, so they’re not fun to deal with.
●      Cockroaches: As the thermometer drops, cockroaches make their ways indoors. Whether you have roach-triggered allergies or just an aversion to these unsightly critters, know that these months can lead to an increase in cockroach sightings.
 
November
 
●      Sugar Ants: Wondering why ants with an interest in sugar might show up more toward the end of October and in early November? It’s thanks to all the candy (and the sugar on the candy wrappers) that’s falling in and around our homes.

Outdoor Fall Pests in the MD AreaSeptember
 
●      Aphids: This vegetable-craving pest will stick around past the summer if the weather is mild, meaning your gardens stay at risk longer.
●      Snails and Slugs: While you may not see the evidence of snails and slugs now, we mention them here because this is when their egg-laying happens. If you’ve noticed a tendency for them to appear in the spring, it’s best to treat them now.
 
October
 
●      Fall Webworms: You may recognize these pests from the white webbing hanging from trees. What’s more serious is seeing them devour a whole tree’s leaves even before the winter starts.
●      Silverfish: With a diet of cotton and silk fibers, it’s not so surprising to find these pests in your sweaters when you fish them out for the cooler days. Properly storing these heavier clothes in the spring can help prevent fall and winter infestations.
 
November
 
●      Bagworms: You can identify bagworms from their hanging cocoons in trees and shrubs during these months. These eggs will hatch in the spring, so now’s the time to remove them.
●      Spiders: Given that autumn is the time for spiders to mate, you’ll be seeing plenty more spiders than just your neighborhood’s leftover Halloween decorations.
 
Which Pests Are a Problem In The Winter?As the weather cools down and we bundle up inside, the winter is a time for us to spend time together. Unfortunately, we’re not alone. The outdoor pests may have calmed down, but the warmth of the homes means the indoor pests are happy to keep pestering.

Indoor Winter Pests in the MD AreaDecember
 
●      Silverfish: The same pest that started snacking on your winter clothes will keep eating - but now you’ll be more aware of their presence. In addition to seeing them around your closets, you may also see their scales, feces pellets, or scales around your clothes.
●      Western Conifer Seed Bugs: Winter doesn’t mean bugs just finding their way to warmth. Sometimes it’s the bugs we accidentally invite in, like Western Conifer Seed Bugs that come in with the Christmas tree.
 
January
 
●      Black Widow Spiders: The same wood that we burn to keep us warm can also be responsible for black widows coming indoors. Since they like hiding in wood piles during the year, you can unintentionally bring them with the kindling.
●      Centipedes and Millipedes: These creepy crawlies like a warm, moist environment. Turning on the heat in your home can lead to an increase in moisture in the basement, which these pests treat as an open invitation to stay a while.
●      Rodents: Rats, mice, and more like a warm home as much as we do. Rather than fight the weather, they may just cozy up in your attic.
 
February
 
●      Winged Carpenter Ants: Though these ants can be found throughout the year, the quieter, calmer months can help reveal if you’re dealing with an infestation. These ants are often confused with swarming termites, so be sure to check with your local MD pest control to confirm.

Outdoor Winter Pests in the MD AreaDecember
 
●      Small Wildlife: It’s not just bugs and insects that want to get in your home. Wildlife like raccoons and squirrels (often carriers of rabies and other diseases) may find a way in your home. For your safety, these do require professional removal.
 
January
 
●      Grubs: These patient pests wait out the winter months to then emerge in the spring, hungry and ready to devour your lawn. Seasonal MD Pest Control can help to interrupt that hibernation, preventing the oncoming lawn attack.
 
February
 
●      Cave Crickets: Like a warm home draws in creatures, your lawn’s decaying leaves also create a warmth that invites these crickets. Underneath that layer, these crickets breed and lay eggs.

Which Pests Are a Problem in The Spring?With the winter giving way to warmer temperatures and lighter days, we’ve got a new set of pests on our hands. The sprouting vegetation gives them new food and the climate is ideal for reproduction.

Indoor Spring Pests in the MD AreaMarch
 
●      Termites: Potentially the most damaging of the pests on this list (how does $5 billion in home damage across the US sound?), termites tend to make their appearance in March.
●      Sugar Ants: These everyday black ants are back, looking again for sugary, sweet foods to snack on. You don’t have much to worry about in terms of damage to the home or to your health, they are hard to deal with, and can require professional intervention.
 
April
 
●      Carpenter Ants: Not to be outdone by termites, carpenter ants are equally effective at damaging the wood in your home.
●      Cockroaches: Roaches are common in cold weather as they want to keep warm, yet the spring is also a normal time of year to encounter these critters.
 
May
 
●      Cluster Flies: Like most insects, these pests are buzzing around for food. They look much like the common housefly and tend to make their presence known in the spring.

Outdoor Spring Pests in the MD AreaMarch
 
●      Carpenter Bees: These springtime bees are found near the wooden elements in your home. They may seem harmless, but the structural damage they can cause to your home certainly is not.
●      Moles: With the warmer weather, moles start to get closer and closer to the lawn’s surface. That can lead to bumps in the grass that can make lawn maintenance difficult - and make navigating the lawn dangerous.
 
April
 
●      Cicadas: Heard of cicadas? We’ll bet you have. Though they’re most famous for their once-in-a-17-year concert, there are some that wake up a little early. A small amount will begin buzzing for 6-8 weeks in the spring. 
●      Spiders: The spring is when the spiders that had been keeping warm in our homes tend to move outside. They do help to manage the other insects we’ve mentioned on this list, though a select few (like the Black Widow), can require professional attention.
 
May
 
●      Grubs: Remember these sleepy guys from the winter? They’re now waking up. They munch away at your grass, growing fatter and becoming attractive to moles and raccoons, who can bring other problems to your yard.
●      Ticks: Ticks may be relatively common, but that doesn’t change how serious they can be. They’re the #1 spreader of Lyme Disease, so it’s best to avoid situations with them whenever possible.

Which Pests Are a Problem in The Summer?The hot, humid summers in Maryland can bring insects inside in the same way that the winters do. Your comfy, climate-controlled home may just be more appealing to Maryland’s pests.

Indoor Summer Pests in the MD AreaJune
 
●      Fleas: Warm weather leads to fleas. Pests can bring fleas inside, but so can our four-legged friends. Once inside, they spread throughout and become very difficult to remove.
●      Termites: Termites spend the spring growing and swarming, then they settle into your home, lose their wings, and get to feasting on your home in the summer.
 
July
 
●      Bed Bugs: Like the spike in fall travels, bed bug infestation rates can tick upward for all of the summer travel - especially with 4th of July.
●      Crickets: You may recognize this as one of those quintessential summer sounds. While that has its charm, there is less charm having them bounding around your basement.
 
August
 
●      Fruit Flies: We’re not the only ones who enjoy all of summer’s fresh fruit and veggies. Fruit flies are fans, too, and if you’re not quick to eat (or dispose of) your fresh produce, they’ll be sure to find it.
●      House Flies: Larger than their fruit-seeking counterparts, these are more annoying than anything else. Should they lay their eggs in your food, however, it will cause it to spoil.
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Outdoor Summer Pests in the MD AreaJune
 
●      Beetles: You may see beetles flying to and from throughout the summer. These beetles, including Japanese beetles and squash beetles, tend to cause problems for crops and gardens.
●      Deer Flies: Though their season may be short, deer flies are intense. Their bites are painful and capable of transmitting diseases, so should be avoided.
 
July
 
●      Grasshoppers: Fans of hot weather, these pests do more than just jump about - they can also damage your lawns and grasses.
●      Honeybees: While honey bees are quite beneficial (and quite active in the summer!), there are situations where removing or relocating them can be appropriate. From large hives to family members with allergies, professionals can help resolve this situation.
 
August
 
●      Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can seem omnipresent during the summer months. With the temptation to spend time outside, avoiding these bloodsuckers is a challenge. Given that they can spread disease, talk with professionals about how to treat your yard.
●      Yellow Jackets: Famous for their painful stings, yellow jackets are very common during the summer. They tend to be territorial and live where people live, so professional removal may be necessary.
 
Seasonal MD Pest Control FAQsWhen is the best time to think about pest control?
 
Keeping your home free of pests throughout the year can be best achieved with treatments in March or April. Not only is it the time when most insects are active, others are still developing, so the proper treatment can reduce the proliferation of summer and fall pests, too.
 
What’s the best way to keep our home free of pests all year long?
 
Like an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure, a regular, recurring pest control plan is your best route to a pest-free home.
 
How much pest control does a new house need?
 
This depends on whether the house is new or new to you. If you’re purchasing a house from someone else, a pest inspection is a necessary step of the closing process. Without it, you may end up responsible for any insect-related damages.