Seasonal Pest Exterminators for Vermont Homes and Businesses

Pests like cockroaches and bed bugs are active no matter which season it is. However, there are several pests that only show up during specific times of the year. In Vermont, here’s what pests you can expect during different times of the year:

Spring Pests

With warmer temperatures, more and more insects wake up and start reproducing. That’s why most people associate pest problems with spring and summer seasons. Some common spring pests in Vermont include:

• Ticks: Frequently found in wooded areas or fields, ticks like to jump onto pets and your pet may accidentally carry them inside. Since they can transmit serious diseases to humans and animals, it’s crucial to treat tick infestations early. 
• Carpenter ants: Similar to termites, carpenter ants cause serious damage to wooden structures. Though they are most active in the summer, they usually begin to swarm in the spring.
• Spotted Lanternflies: Since its introduction the US in 2014, the spotted lanternfly has become a major ecological threat. These pests do not travel far, and instead lay their eggs on moving objects to move greater distances. It’s crucial to remove this pest as soon as its found, as it can destroy trees quickly.

Summer Pests

Warm weather and blossoming plants provide most insects with everything they need to thrive. Here in Vermont, watch for these common summer pests:

• Mosquitoes: It’s not just that their bites are annoying. Mosquitoes can spread diseases such as malaria and West Nile Virus, which could lead to long-term health consequences. 
• Bees and wasps: Though bees can be beneficial to the environment, aggressive stinging insects like wasps  pose a safety threat if they settle in too close to your property. 
• Bed bugs: Bed bugs are active all year, but there’s usually a spike in new infestations in the summer due to vacation travel. It’s very easy to pick up bed bugs while at a hotel, on an airplane, or in other public places, which is why these are sometimes considered a seasonal pest. 

Fall Pests

With cooling temperatures, some rodents and insects try to sneak indoors for shelter and easy access to food. For this reason, you may see these pests more frequently in the fall:

• Boxelder bugs: Though not considered hazardous to human health, they can stain surfaces with their fecal matter. Boxelder bugs typically remain outdoors in sunny or wooded areas until temperatures start to drop. 
• Mice: Rodents are active year-round but much more likely to infest homes and businesses in the fall or winter. All rodents can spread diseases to humans and lead to major health consequences. 
• Stink bugs: Common across the United States and known for emitting a foul-smelling odor when frightened, stink bugs are often found near windows or doors, and primarily feed on plant matter.

Winter Pests

Nobody likes being out in the cold, and that includes pests! With how cold winters get here in Vermont, it’s no wonder that pests try to take advantage of our warm and food-filled homes. In the winter, you are more likely to find these pests:

• House centipedes: With up to 90 pairs of legs and the ability to run extremely fast, house centipedes are more frightening than harmful. In fact, they’re highly beneficial for their voracious appetite of cockroaches, ants, spiders, and other pests.
• Silverfish: While they usually infest homes in winter while searching for something to eat, silverfish can contaminate your food if they make it into your pantry.