Leaky Pipes: What Pests Are They Attracting?

A leaky pipe attracting pests in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

Pest outbreaks can come from many different sources, but one of the most common reasons that our technicians at Vermont Pest Control find is the consequences of hidden leakage. When we have leaky pipes in our walls or cupboards that go undetected, they often create rotten wood and pools of standing water that invite all sorts of pests for an extended stay. To learn what you can do to prevent pest outbreaks caused by leaky pipes in Vermont, read up on the findings of our pest control experts!

What Pests Can Leaky Pipes Attract?

Leakage in your walls, cupboards, attic, crawl spaces, or anywhere else in your home can lead to all sorts of issues, but pest problems are almost inevitable in certain circumstances. Here are the three main pests to watch out for when you have leaky pipes:

  1. Cockroaches: While they are some of the toughest creatures on the planet, one thing that roaches rely on heavily is a water source. Due to their nocturnal nature, cockroaches need to find a dark (and preferably damp) place to hide during the day. They often find everything they need next to our leaky pipes.
  2. Ants: Ants seek out leaky pipes in our home when they’ve become dehydrated and need a cool place to search for food. They are also often attracted to our bathrooms by the sweet scents of our hygiene products, then stick around for the free water source.
  3. Termites: Keeping your wooden structures dry will help you prevent a termite infestation. Once they find a source of wood next to a source of water, only a professional termite control company can stop them from destroying your home from the inside out.

Combatting Leaks to Stop Pests

When you find leaky pipes in your home, you have to act right away to avoid pest problems from starting up or building upon themselves. Here’s how:

  • Seal the cracks that you find by applying a silicone-based caulk. This is the most effective way to stop leaks on your own.
  • Do whatever you can to improve the ventilation of the area experiencing leakage. This will reduce the amount of moisture accumulating in the room.
  • Let your local pest control company know about your problem. They will be able to help you prevent a pest infestation with preventative tactics.

Minimizing Pest Pressures in Vermont

At Vermont Pest Control, we understand that having leakage issues can cause stress that extends far beyond the threat of a pest infestation. That is why we train our technicians to handle pest outbreaks swiftly and professionally for our customers, ensuring that their homes are clear of ants, cockroaches, and more. To learn more about our pest control services or for a free quote, reach out today!

How to Keep Ticks Out of Your Yard & Home

A blacklegged tick on a dog in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

We all look forward to the summer. Warmer weather, blue skies, and spending time with friends and family out in the sun—you can’t ask for much more. One of the biggest things that spoils a great summer day, though, is finding a tick on your leg. It’s worrisome and discomforting, and more often than not, you have no idea where it came from. What’s worse, we are more likely to experience tick problems every year as average temperatures gradually increase.

If you want to avoid ticks in Vermont this summer, keep reading for advice from Vermont Pest Control. We are equipped to determine the reasons why ticks are on your property and get rid of them fast, so you can have a tick-free summer.

Preventing Ticks in Your Yard

You will often find ticks around densely vegetated areas, tightly-packed trees, or habitats crawling with small animals. If your yard looks like this, you will probably have to work to prevent ticks all summer long. To keep ticks out of your yard, follow these steps:

  1. Tidy up your yard: Ticks can make temporary homes out of piles of clutter in your yard. Firewood, yard waste, and old furniture can all serve as tick hideouts.
  2. Control wildlife: Squirrels, mice, rats, racoons, and more small animals are all common tick targets. Keeping them out of your yard will also reduce the number of ticks.
  3. Trim trees: If you have tree branches hanging over your deck, patio, porch, or anywhere else you like to hang out, ticks will use them as a platform to make their way over to you.
  4. Mow the lawn: Ticks like to hang out in tall grass to sneak up on unsuspecting animals. Mow your lawn once a week to keep ticks off of your lawn.

Keeping Ticks Out of the House

Ticks have a hard time living in most indoor spaces for more than a few days. However, if you have indoor areas that stay humid, like a shed, poorly ventilated bathroom, or a cabin, ticks can stay around for much longer. Most ticks get inside by stealthily clinging on to your leg or your dog’s back. You can prevent this from happening by:

  • Limiting exposed skin: Wearing shorts and low socks outside makes you a great target for ticks. Wearing long socks and pants will prevent ticks from coming back inside with you.
  • Applying bug spray: Using insect repellent on exposed skin can prevent ticks from hitching a ride indoors on your legs.
  • Checking your pets: After letting your dog outside or taking them on a long walk, comb through their fur to look for ticks. Dog owners are much more likely to have ticks in the house.

Effective Tick Control in Vermont

If you need help getting rid of ticks in your house or in your yard this summer, tell your local pest control company about your problem. At Vermont Pest Control, we focus on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, meaning that we work to prevent tick problems before they start through pertinent pest control products and exclusion efforts. Contact us today for a free quote!

Protect Yourself from Garden Pests

A group of aphids found in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

Gardening is a wonderful hobby that many of us in Vermont enjoy. There is nothing quite like taking fresh vegetables from your garden to your kitchen and preparing a meal from the fruits of your own labor. Lots of people start their gardening journeys with high hopes of huge yields, only to have their dreams crushed by a pest outbreak. Here at Vermont Pest Control, we have spent years figuring out the best ways to prevent and control the local pests that plague our plants. Read on for top advice from our expert exterminators!

Typical Garden Pests in Vermont

To maintain a healthy garden this year, you should learn the ins and outs of our regional garden pest problems. Being aware of the most common garden pests in Vermont will allow you to take preventative measures to ensure that they don’t show up in your yard. Here are some that we commonly deal with:

  • Fruit flies: Fruit flies, particularly the spotted wing drosophila variety, have been especially prevalent in Vermont over the last decade. Adult fruit flies lay their eggs on the fruit so that their larvae can hatch on an ample food source.
  • Leek moths: These moths lay their eggs at the base of onion, garlic, chive, and leek plants. Their caterpillars will eat up the roots, eventually growing up into moths that feast on the bulbs.
  • Aphids: Aphids are the tiny green bugs that you’ve most likely seen in your garden before. They drain the nutrients from just about every part of the plant, provided they have no natural predators co-inhabiting the garden.

Setting Up Your Plants for a Healthy Life

The best ways to prevent pest populations from setting up shop in your garden all coincide with strategies to improve the overall health of your garden. Some of these tactics are:

  1. Ensuring proper sunlight and airflow. Most garden plants need six or more hours of direct sunlight per day. If you space out your plants and make sure they get the sunlight they need, they won’t be a vulnerable target for pests.
  2. Harvesting often. If you harvest from your garden regularly, you will catch ripe plants as soon as they are ready. This lessens the chance of fruit fly eggs and other kinds of eggs being laid in your garden. It also gives you a chance to routinely check on your plants for outbreaks of aphids or other sneaky pests.
  3. Paying attention to seasons. Planting crops in their proper seasons will allow for the healthiest plant growth and most abundant yields. The best plants to prioritize for a pest-free* garden are leafy greens and herbs with short seed-to-harvest cycles.

Pest Protection for Your Garden in Vermont

If you’ve taken all of our advice and are still dealing with pest problems, it’s time for professional intervention. Our expert technicians at Vermont Pest Control have been trained in the safest methods of garden pest control that keep any and all pests out while allowing for healthy and bountiful plant growth. Don’t wait until your whole yield is compromised to get started tackling garden pest problems! Contact us today for more information on our services or a free quote.

What Time Are Mosquitoes Most Active?

Mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk in Atlanta GA - Florida Pest Control

Nationwide, mosquitoes are associated with the spring and summertime. These infamous pests begin to become active as soon as the average temperature gets to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit regularly. When temperatures dip back down below that, the mosquitoes will go dormant. This means that in our region, mosquitoes are a summertime pest problem. You can expect to deal with mosquitoes at dawn or dusk in the summer months. However, you don’t have to deal with their bites! By knowing about when and where mosquitoes are most active in your area, you can better protect yourself from their bites. Read on to learn more with the mosquito experts at Vermont Pest Control.

Mosquitoes At Night vs. Morning

In the heat of the day, mosquitoes typically prefer to hide in the shade to avoid getting dehydrated. Their aversion to the sun is why these pests are most active during the morning hours and at dusk when the sun is at its lowest and the temperature is cooler. Because of their preference for shady areas, mosquitoes frequent shaded woods, wetlands, marshes, and ponds throughout the daytime. If you are spending time outdoors at dawn and dusk, it’s important to stay vigilant about preventing their bites. A natural way to stay safe from mosquitoes is to plan your outdoor activities in the middle of the day.

How to Prevent Mosquito Activity in Vermont

Compared to most of the nation, Vermont is blessed with a shorter mosquito season. Their activity begins in the late spring months, but these pests aren’t at full force until the middle of the summer. During this time, here’s how to keep yourself safe from mosquito activity: 

  1. If at all possible, avoid going outdoors at dusk and dawn. This is when mosquitoes are most active!
  2. When you do go outdoors in the summer, make sure to wear loose, light-colored clothing. If possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to keep your skin protected.
  3. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET. Before using on children, make sure to consult your pediatrician.
  4. To prevent mosquitoes in your yard, cover or remove standing water, maintain your yard, and install fans to get the air moving and repel weak-flying mosquitoes.

How to Get Rid of Active Mosquitoes in Your Yard

If you are noticing an increase in mosquito activity in your property, it’s best to consult your local mosquito exterminators. At Vermont Pest Control, we can implement tactics to make your yard less conducive to mosquito breeding in the first place, keeping you safe from mosquito activity all summer long. Contact us today to get started!

How to Dislodge Ticks Safely

American dog tick found in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

Ticks come out again every spring and summer to look for animals to feed on. Their diets can range from birds, to deers, to rodents and other small mammals, but unfortunately, also extend to us and our pets. These sneaky pests are not just a nuisance, they are also capable of causing serious illnesses, including the daunting Lyme disease. To prepare yourself for the height of tick season, you can learn about the types of ticks in your area and the best actions to take once you’ve been bitten.

What Types of Ticks Live in Vermont?

There are several species of ticks living in our area, but three of them stand out as the most prominent:

  • Lone star tick: With their elongated mouthparts and characteristic white spot on their back, the lone star tick is easily identifiable. You’ll often find them in wooded areas where lots of small animals live.
  • American dog tick: These ticks have a very similar anatomy to the lone star tick, but are more reddish-brown in color and have smaller mouthparts. American dog ticks’ common targets are, you guessed it, dogs. This doesn’t stop them from going after humans, though!
  • Deer tick: The deer tick is widely feared for its ability to transmit the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. They are smaller and darker in color than the previously mentioned ticks, making them hard to spot.

Although you can only contract Lyme disease from a deer tick bite, each one of these tick species has been known to carry several kinds of dangerous diseases.

How to Remove a Tick Safely

It’s important to remove ticks from your skin as soon as you notice them to avoid contracting a disease. The CDC has laid out these steps for safe tick removal:

  1. Pinch the tick closely to the surface of the skin using a pair of tweezers.
  2. Pull the tick out of the skin with a slow and steady motion. Twisting the tweezers while pulling could cause the tick’s mouthparts to break off in your skin. If this happens, you can use the tweezers to take them out afterward.
  3. After removing the tick, clean the area of the bite with rubbing alcohol or soap and warm water.
  4. Get rid of the tick by flushing it down the toilet, throwing it away in a sealed trash can, or putting it in alcohol. Do not use your bare hands to squish it.

You can decrease your chances of developing an illness by removing ticks from your skin as soon as possible. If you start to notice signs of a fever or a rash within 2-3 weeks of a recent tick bite, talk to a medical professional about your symptoms.

Tick Extermination Services in Vermont

If you’re already noticing a heightened population of ticks near your home or around your property, ask your local pest control company about what they can do. The tick experts at Vermont Pest Control have years of experience dealing with all kinds of ticks in our region. Contact us today to find out how we can help you get rid of your tick problem!

Do Carpenter Bees Sting People?

What carpenter bees look like in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

Bee stings can feel anywhere from annoying to extremely painful, depending on the species of bee. Regardless of what kind of them are around, no one wants to be on the receiving end of a bee sting.

Some bees are more on the timid side, however, and will only sting if they sense serious cause for concern. So, if you are worried that you have a carpenter bee problem at your house, should you be concerned about being stung?

Carpenter Bee Stings

First, make sure that what you are dealing with is a carpenter bee issue. Here are a few factors that will help you tell them apart from other bees:

  • They have shiny, black-colored abdomen
  • Their wings are longer and darker than a bumblebee’s
  • You’ll find groups of small holes in the wood in your house that look like they’ve been drilled
  • You will see them up around your roof or window sills, not in flower beds like most bees

If you determine that you have carpenter bees, don’t worry too much about them stinging you. Male carpenter bees don’t have a stinger at all, and females will only sting when they’re swatted at, stepped on, or when their home is endangered. They have to feel seriously threatened, so if you leave them alone, you should be just fine.

Are Carpenter Bees Good?

When people realize that they have a carpenter bee population growing around their home, they might fear that there could be serious damage being done to their house. In reality, any damage carpenter bees will do is largely superficial, and won’t compromise your house’s structure.

Additionally, carpenter bees play a part in pollinating plants on your property. They don’t actually eat the wood that they chew through, instead, they feed on nectar from plants, helping many beautiful flowers and other flora grow stronger and healthier.

Although they are a critical contributor to their ecosystems, they might not be ideal to keep around. Hosting too many carpenter bees could make for porches, railings, window sills, and roofs that look less than perfect.

Get Rid of Carpenter Bees

If you’re ready to get rid of the carpenter bees in your house, contact your local extermination experts. Our technicians at Vermont Pest Control are trained to remove bees, hornets, and wasps using the most efficient methods and adhering to EPA regulations. We re-license our employees annually through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture to ensure that we are up to date with all of the latest and safest techniques. Reach out today for a free quote!

Are Roaches Only Active At Night?

Cockroaches are active at night in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

There are many myths about roaches, making it hard to know what is true versus lore. Something many people don’t realize is true is that cockroaches are typically only active at night! As nocturnal creatures, cockroaches typically only come out at night. This is when they feed, spread, and make a mess. But what about the daytime? Seeing them during the day is indicative of a significant infestation in your home or business.

At Vermont Pest Control, we know that cockroaches are any homeowner’s worst nightmare. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about keeping your eyes peeled for roaches—both day and night.

Nighttime Cockroach Activity

The last thing anyone wants to think about is a bunch of roaches roaming throughout their home in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, it’s more common than you think. Roaches are nocturnal insects. If and when they’re out during the day, they avoid sunlight and prefer to stay hidden in the dark, damp areas of your home. When alert overnight, cockroaches will begin their hunt for food. They will eat just about everything and can navigate your dark kitchen to seek out any crumbs they can find. Research has shown that nighttime cockroach activity happens primarily during the hours just before midnight.

Signs of Roaches During the Day

During the daytime, cockroaches typically stay hidden in dark, moist areas around your home. If spotted crawling around, you likely have dozens and dozens hidden elsewhere. The most common areas where roaches rest in your home during the day are as follows:

  • Underneath or behind appliances like stoves and refrigerators
  • Beneath sinks in your kitchen or bathrooms
  • Near plumbing or your washer and dryer machines
  • Inside light switches or even inside the walls
  • Nestled in piles of debris, papers, boxes, supplies, and more

What to Do About Roaches in Your Home

If you see even a single cockroach, it’s often a bad sign they are hidden in your home. To get rid of these pests, it’s best to team up with your local cockroach exterminators. At Vermont Pest Control, our roach exterminators will work with you to eliminate the infestation and prevent any future roaches from coming back. Contact us today to learn more!

Seal Your Home From Pests With Caulking

How to use caulk for pest control in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

Did you know that ants, beetles, and spiders often make their way into your home through tiny openings? Cracks and crevices around your doors and windows are open invitations to bugs, especially in the spring and summer when they’re out in full force. The best way to seal off your home from pests is with caulking. This easy and effective DIY pest prevention method is something every homeowner here in Vermont can learn to do. With pest season just around the corner, now is the time to pest-proof your home. The exterminators at Vermont Pest Control are here to help you learn how to use caulking to pest-proof your home.

Find Where Pests Get Inside

Before you use caulking, it’s important to conduct a thorough inspection of your property to locate cracks and crevices. Look at your window and door frames from both inside and outside, as well as your baseboards, crown molding, and more. If you have major issues with your door or window frames, you may consider replacing them entirely. Weatherstripping is also a solution for bigger gaps. However, caulk is best for small, easy-to-fix holes to keep pests out.

How to Keep Pests Out With Caulking

Using caulk to pest-proof your home is a quick trick you can do every year to lessen the changes of an infestation. Here’s how to seal your home from pests with caulking:

  1. Choose the correct caulk. When you get to your store, you’ll notice several types of caulk. In general, silicone caulk is the most commonly used caulk for this purpose as it is resistant to moisture. It’s also a low-cost option. If necessary, purchase a caulking gun as well.
  2. Thoroughly clean the area. Before you apply any caulk, make sure to clean any areas you will be applying caulk to. This includes removing any old caulking, old paint, dirt, and anything else that could jeopardize the adhesion of the new caulk.
  3. Apply the caulk. When applying caulk, begin in one corner of the crack or gap and tilt the applicator at a 45-degree angle. Steadily apply the caulk in a smooth, slow line while applying steady pressure.
  4. Let the caulk dry. If needed, smooth any bumps or fill any gaps with a small spoon. Remove any excess caulking. For best results, let the caulk dry for at least 24 hours.

Pest-Proofing Your Vermont Home

Caulking is an easy, cost-efficient way to pest-proof your property. Other best practices for pest prevention include clearing your yard of debris, keeping a clean kitchen, sealing food in airtight containers, and fixing leaky pipes. To learn more about using caulk to pest-proof your home or other best practices for pest prevention, contact the professionals at Vermont Pest Control today!

How to Prevent Cockroaches in Your Vermont Home

Cockroach prevention tips in Vermont - Vermont Pest Control

There are four cockroaches found in Vermont: the American cockroach, brown-banded cockroach, German cockroach, and oriental cockroach. Though some are more common than others, there’s no doubting that roaches are a dreaded pest problem for home and business owners alike. Not only are these pests feared in the hearts of many people, but they also can be dangerous as they spread germs and trigger allergies. Bottom line: no one wants to deal with a cockroach problem. The best form of cockroach control is prevention, and the team at Vermont Pest Control is here to share their top tips for preventing roaches in your Vermont home.

8 Best Cockroach Prevention Tips

Roaches are excellent hiders and love to take shelter in the dark, damp corners of your property. To avoid the discovery of an infestation, it’s important to learn how to limit their chances of survival in the first place. Here’s how:

  1. Clean your kitchen. Roaches will gladly feast on food crumbs and spillage in your kitchen. Clean up after mealtimes to keep them away.
  2. Repair leaky pipes and avoid excess moisture. Attracted to moisture, cockroaches will assemble in damp areas created by plumbing problems in the home.
  3. Be wary of cardboard boxes. Cockroaches are known to live in and breed in cardboard boxes. Be cautious when moving them and consider using plastic tubs for storage instead.
  4. Take out garbage regularly. Don’t let cockroaches ravage your trash: make sure to take it out regularly and secure it in a bin with a tight-fitting lid.
  5. Seal cracks and crevices. Roaches can squeeze inside through small holes. Use caulk to seal cracks and holes that permit entry into your property.
  6. Eliminate their food sources. Keep all of your food stored in airtight sealed containers to limit food sources to roach populations.
  7. Pick up pet food from the floor. If you tend to leave out pet food 24/7, you should think twice. Pet food is a common contributor to pest and roach problems.
  8. Declutter your property. Roaches will gladly hide in dark, damp corners of your property. Avoid clutter and regularly clean your surroundings.

When to Get Professional Help to Prevent Cockroaches

Let’s face it: no one wants to deal with a roach problem on their own. If you’re having trouble preventing roaches, it’s best to call your local pest control experts at Vermont Pest Control. Contact our cockroach exterminators today to learn how we can keep you and your family safe from roaches in Vermont.

Afraid of Rodents and Bugs? 2021 May Not Be Your Year

Vermont Pest Control

Entomologists from Vermont Pest Control’s parent company, Rentokil Provide their Pest Predictions for 2021

READING, Penn. (Jan. 4, 2021) — As if 2020 didn’t present enough challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 could be a banner year for pests around the country.

To help residents prepare for 2021, entomologists from Rentokil used field knowledge and data to provide their predictions for pests in the upcoming year.

1. Rodents, Rodents Everywhere:

With shutdowns across the country, it’s no surprise that rodents are on the rise nationwide. Empty buildings, the scarcity of food and warmer winters have combined to create a rodent apocalypse.

“We’re seeing more rats in urban, suburban and rural settings because of the shutdowns,” said Marc Potzler, Board Certified Entomologist. “Food sources are cut off, and rats are having to travel to scavenge for food. We’ve seen rats out in public during the day, which is highly unusual.”

Warmer winters have also allowed for mice populations to boom in residential areas as it allows for a longer breeding season and there is a lower population loss due to hard freezes.

“Right now is the perfect time to rodent-proof your home,” said Potzler. “Make sure to repair any gaps on the exterior of your home, such as around garage doors, windows or pipes.”

2. Mosquitoes on the Move:

Mosquitoes populations have been increasing over the last few years. Aedes species, which are disease-carrying mosquitoes, are also moving to new areas. These mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Zika virus, among other diseases.

“There is an increase of mosquitoes across the country, but notably on the West Coast, and they are adapting each year,” said Eric Sebring, Associate Certified Entomologist. “We have seen evidence of behavior adaptation, where mosquitoes lay their eggs strategically to hatch throughout the season.”

Protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes by removing any standing water on your property. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one teaspoon of water. Also, wear EPA-approved insect repellent while spending time outside.

3. Bed Bugs:

The chatter about bed bugs was quiet in 2020, but that’s not because they have gone away.

“As people begin to travel again, we will start to hear about bed bug infestations,” said Sebring. “Bed bugs can be dormant for several months at a time, so they can emerge when a food source, humans, become available.”

Bed bugs are considered hitchhikers, traveling from place to place on people, luggage, clothing and other personal belongings. Homeowners and businesses such as hotels, colleges, hospitals, senior living facilities, retail stores, and libraries have experienced problems with bed bugs.

If traveling, inspect the bed by pulling back the sheets to examine the mattress. Check your luggage before packing and unpacking, and look for signs of living or dead bugs the size of an apple seed or black fecal smears.

4. More Time Outdoors = More Pests.

From hiking to gardening to dining al fresco, there is no doubt that the pandemic has forced people to spend more time outdoors.

In 2021, we will see the outdoor pest pressures continue:

Ticks: Ticks are responsible for transmitting several diseases, including Lyme disease, to humans and animals. These small insects are found in grassy areas and in the woods, so it is important to inspect yourself and your pets after spending time outdoors. Cover as much skin as possible while outdoors, wear long pants, long sleeves, closed-toed shoes, and tuck pant legs into socks. Light-colored clothing will also help any ticks you pick up stand out.

Ants: “As soon as the weather starts to warm up, we will see an increase in ant populations,” said Tom Dobrinska, Board Certified Entomologist. “Most of the ants we are dealing with are odorous house ants. When spending time outside, make sure to clean up any food, water or sugary substances and ensure that your home is free of any holes or cracks for them to enter.”

Stinging Insects: Stinging insects, such as wasps and yellow jackets, emerge at the first sign of warm weather, and as warm weather seasons are getting longer, stinging insects have more time to create issues. Make sure you check for nests early in the spring as they are smaller and get early nest treatment. Make sure to keep windows and doors shut, and secure outside bins so stinging insects are not attracted to the contents.

5. Termites Aren’t Going Anywhere

Termites are a pesky problem, and unfortunately, are not going anywhere. Termites can cause extensive damage to structures, especially homes. As people are moving out of cities during the pandemic to more suburban areas, education about termite protection is key.

“We received more calls for termites this past year than we have in many years,” said Potzler. “It’s important to raise awareness for homeowners now to have proactive protection to keep from costly repairs in the future.”

6. Pests in the News:

There are a few pests that will continue to steal the limelight in 2021.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is an invasive pest that has been making its way across the country since it was first introduced from Asia in 2001. Besides its pungent odor, this stink bug has become a nuisance for homeowners as it gathers in large numbers on the sides of houses and buildings and enters through small cracks in the home. “The brown marmorated stink bug is here to stay,” said Dobrinska. “We will continue to see this species emerge in late spring in large numbers.”

The Spotted Lanternfly will continue to wreak havoc across the Northeast and beyond. The invasive pest, first found in Pennsylvania in 2014, is spreading across the Northeast, with New York reporting its first sighting this year. The pest can significantly damage trees and plants.

“The Spotted Lanternfly is becoming a big problem in the Northeast, and it will continue to spread,” said Potzler. “It can be devastating for agriculture and is a nuisance for homeowners.”

The egg masses look like a smear of mud on trees and outside of homes. It’s important to scrape the egg mass off, put it in a bag with rubbing alcohol and throw it away, and then call the state department of agriculture.

The infamous “Murder Hornet,” also known as the Asian giant hornet, grabbed many headlines, causing homeowners to panic trying to decipher the difference between stinging insects in their yards and this aggressive species. The Asian giant hornet is the largest hornet species in the world, growing up to 3 inches in length. Currently, the Asian giant hornet has only been found in the Pacific Northwest.

“We know that there was one colony found and eliminated in Washington State,” said Sebring. “Unfortunately, if there is one, there will be more.”

While your chances of being stung by an Asian giant hornet are fairly low, the sting can be dangerous as the venom volume is higher, causing more pain. The hives are primarily built underground or in hollows in trees. If you suspect it is an Asian giant hornet or any stinging pests, call your pest management provider to assess the situation as soon as you spot activity.