Spring brings sunshine, blooming flowers, and the perfect excuse to deep clean your home—but it also marks the return of some less welcome visitors: pests.
As temperatures rise, ants, termites, mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents become more active, often searching for food, water, and shelter inside homes. And according to the National Pest Management Association, pest activity is more common than many homeowners realize.
In a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA:
- 36% of Americans reported seeing ants inside their homes
- 29% encountered mosquitoes indoors
- 21% spotted cockroaches in their homes
To help families stay ahead of spring pest problems, Coast to Coast TV welcomed board-certified entomologist Dr. Michael Bentley from the National Pest Management Association.
Why Pest Prevention Matters
While spotting a bug or mouse can definitely trigger the “ick” factor, pests are more than just an annoyance.
Rodents can chew through electrical wiring, insulation, and drywall—potentially creating fire hazards. Cockroaches and rodents can contaminate food and surfaces, while mosquitoes and ticks may carry diseases. Termites can also cause costly structural damage before homeowners even realize there’s a problem.
That’s why prevention is key.
What Pests to Watch for This Spring
As spring arrives, homeowners should keep an eye out for:
- Ants looking for food and water indoors
- Termites beginning swarming activity
- Mosquitoes breeding in standing water
- Ticks becoming active in yards and outdoor spaces
- Rodents searching for shelter and nesting areas
Depending on where you live, pest activity can vary throughout the season.
Spring Cleaning Tips to Keep Pests Away
In the Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the biggest hotspots for pest activity.
Dr. Bentley recommends:
- Emptying and wiping down cabinets before restocking
- Storing cereal, flour, pet food, and dry goods in airtight containers
- Cleaning crumbs and spills promptly
- Taking out trash regularly and keeping lids sealed
Removing food sources is one of the easiest ways to discourage pests from moving in.
Bathrooms and Laundry Rooms
Moisture attracts pests just as much as food.
Check these areas for:
- Leaky pipes under sinks
- Moisture around tubs and toilets
- Damp towels or standing water
- Poor ventilation
Fixing leaks and drying wet areas can help prevent pests like cockroaches and silverfish.
Basements and Garages
Storage areas often become hiding places for rodents and insects.
Try these prevention steps:
- Reduce clutter
- Replace cardboard boxes with sealed plastic bins
- Inspect for droppings, gnaw marks, or nesting materials
- Seal cracks, gaps, and utility entry points
Outside Your Home
Your first line of defense starts outdoors.
To protect your home:
- Repair damaged window screens
- Replace worn weatherstripping around doors
- Clean gutters and improve drainage
- Trim bushes and tree branches away from the house
- Remove decaying wood, which can attract termites and other wood-destroying pests
Where to Learn More
For more seasonal pest prevention tips, home checklists, and regional pest forecasts, homeowners can visit National Pest Management Association’s consumer resource site, PestWorld.
With a few simple spring cleaning habits, you can keep your home cleaner, safer—and a lot less inviting to spring’s creepy, crawly guests.