Some pests are active throughout the entire year, while others are only active during specific seasons. So, which pests are seasonal in Denver?
To help you prepare for seasonal pests, we’ve created the following list of what pests are most active during different seasons in Denver.
Spring
Termites: Termites are attracted to warmer, humid weather, which Denver experiences more of during the spring. In Denver, you can expect to deal with two types of termites: drywood termites and subterranean termites. Common signs of termites include molted skin, feces, damaged wood, and mud tubes.
Ticks: Ticks are parasitic bugs that feed on human and animal blood to sustain themselves. Ticks are drawn to overgrown grass and plants, so keeping your yard neat and well-groomed is vital to keeping ticks from overtaking your backyard. Ticks can be a significant pest to our pets as well, making tick preventative products an excellent option to protect your pets.
Fleas: Like ticks, fleas are parasites that feed on blood from humans and animals. They often come inside our homes on our pets, as they will attach themselves to our pets, then their eggs will roll onto our carpet or bedding where they will hatch.
Summer
Ants: Ants are a serious summer pest because they typically come out of winter hibernation around this time. While some ants are harmless, other types of ants will come into your home looking for food. If they find food, the rest of their colony will soon follow and create a live-in infestation inside your house. Some types of ants, like fire ants and crazy ants, will even bite if they feel threatened.
Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are irritating pests that leave itchy bites on humans. Unfortunately, their bites can also transmit hazardous diseases, like West Nile and Zika, to humans. These diseases are particularly dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn children, as they can cause congenital disabilities. Mosquitoes are attracted to standing water, so treating the water can significantly impact how many mosquitoes are on your property if you have standing water on your property.
Stinging insects: Nobody wants to have stinging insects hanging around their home. Unfortunately, stinging insects, like wasps and bees, are prominent in the Denver area. Bees are more docile and less likely to be aggressive towards humans. However, wasps can be bold and predatory. Some species may even attack as a group, which can present a painful, and possibly life-threatening situation, to you and your family. If you discover stinging insects on your property, a pest control professional can remove their hive or nest from your property, which can significantly reduce the number of pests on your property.
Fall/Winter
Spiders: Spiders are more common during the winter months because they seek shelter from the intense cold. Denver is home to many species of spiders, including wolf spiders, cobweb spiders, cellar spiders, and tarantulas. In addition, Denver has both the dangerous brown recluse spider and black widow spider. Both of these spiders have venomous bites that can cause painful reactions and may need medical attention.
Bed bugs: Bed bugs are small, nocturnal bugs that are among the worst pests to have. Bed bugs breed quickly and are difficult to get rid of because they can go months between blood meals. Although they are not a hazard to your health, bed bugs are psychologically disturbing to have because they feed on human blood at night. If you wake up with bug bites in the morning, you may have bed bugs, and it’s recommended that you immediately reach out to your local pest control provider.
Cockroaches: Cockroaches can be found everywhere and are most attracted to warmth and humidity, which leaves many to seek shelter and warmth in your home during the cold winter months. Cockroaches are most often found in the kitchen and bathroom near or under appliances because they prefer warm, humid places. Unfortunately, cockroaches can carry dangerous bacteria and contaminate our food, leading to humans contracting diseases. They also secrete a substance that can aggravate asthma and cause asthma attacks.