Clarksville has four distinct seasons and nasty critters that come with them. Temperature and humidity play a role in the various pests you’ll see during different times of the year.
Here, we’ll uncover:
- Pest types for each season in Clarksville
- The reasons why weather is a factor
- How to identify if you have a pest problem
- The region’s worst insects, rodents, and wildlife
Which Summer Pests Are the Worst in Clarksville?
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes in the region represent about 200 of the 3,600 species worldwide. Females typically lay their eggs on calm water surfaces. However, in the Tennessee Valley, they can also reproduce within heavy vegetation.
Female mosquitoes require a blood meal on occasion, whereas the males do not. That’s because females need extra protein and iron to produce their eggs.
When a mosquito bites a human host, saliva from the insect is transferred during the exchange that causes the itchy bump. In addition, this transfer can cause several diseases to be transmitted, including:
- Malaria
- West Nile virus
- Dengue fever
- Zika virus
- Yellow fever
These and other illnesses cause over 700,000 deaths worldwide each year. The good news is, except for rare outbreaks, they’re uncommon in the U.S.
Snakes
Timber rattlesnakes grow to an average of four to five feet in length and display a black or brown pattern on a yellowish-brown background.
You can find them within rugged terrain within deciduous forests. However, pregnant females prefer open ledges where temperatures are higher.
Timber rattlesnakes are highly venomous. So, their bites are a significant health concern.
However, copperhead snakes, although they also carry venom, are not as deadly. Their bites are often “dry,” meaning there is little poison in them.
Still, their fangs are large and painful, and they are a health risk for small children. So, for those reasons, it’s vital to seek immediate medical attention after a bite.
Which Fall Pests Are the Worst in Clarksville?
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs infest living areas within homes, hotels, and hospitals. You can find them nesting along mattress seams, around cracks in walls, and electrical wall outlets.
They become fall pests right after the busy summer travel season. That’s because they get carried into the U.S. by means of international travel.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are a species of true bug that feed off the leaves and sap from trees. After gorging themselves during the summer months, they head inside where it’s warm, including your home, if it’s close to orchards, or if you have a garden or fruit trees in your yard.
Stink bugs often know when the cold weather is heading their way. So, they scurry indoors during the fall months. Look for them around window sills, crawling on the carpet, or congregating in tight spaces throughout your home.
Which Winter Pests Are the Worst in Clarksville?
Mice
Mice enter indoor spaces during the cold winter months in Northern Tennessee. Nesting areas include packing boxes, insulated crawl spaces, and underneath electrical appliances. However, mice will often abandon these locations in favor of easy food or water sources.
The common house mouse is about three to four inches long, with small, black eyes and a long tail. Its ears are somewhat large compared with its body, and it will staunchly defend its territory by standing on its hind legs.
Roof Rats
Roof rats are much larger than mice, measuring about 15 inches in length. They are dark brown to black and have a narrow body and snout.
Roof rats climb trees and structures to avoid predators. That’s why they are considered pests, especially when they make their way into attics and other living spaces. Worse, they often chew through electrical wiring and leave behind feces, urine, and other waste products.
Which Spring Pests Are the Worst in Clarksville?
Ticks
Brown dog ticks are a more resilient tick species since they can adapt to almost any weather condition. However, you will find them on your pet more often during the spring and summer months.
Although brown dog ticks prefer canines for their hosts, they will feed on other mammals as well. However, cats are not typically one of them.
Tree Squirrels
The eastern gray squirrel is native to the Eastern regions of North America. It has brownish-gray fur and a large, bushy tail.
Like most squirrel species, the eastern gray squirrel is a hoarder. It gathers food for later use and stores it in several caches until it buries it in a more secure location.
It constructs nests within trees of dry leaves and twigs called dreys which are 20 and 30 inches in diameter, on average. However, it’s much easier to nest in an accessible attic space. So, it’s best to seal off all entry points around your home.