Spring! The flowers, the showers, the sun on your face. What’s not to love about spring?
Oh, right. The sheer destructiveness of Spring’s worst bug species.
Some pests do more harm than others – here’s a short list of some of the season’s most vile bugs…
TERMITES
Unfortunately, this year’s termite season is shaping up to be one of the worst in recent memory. Warm winters all over the country and lots and lots of rain make the perfect habitat for pesky wood-eating monsters. Er, termites. Three species wreak the most havoc in the US but the Subterranean variety are the worst. Watch out for these bugs particularly in the Southern US and call a termite pro immediately if you spot skeletons, droppings, or suspicious holes in your wood. Obviously.
APHIDS
Every gardener knows the horror that is aphids. They do little to help the plants but they sure do love to nom on fresh fruit and veggies! They’re difficult to get rid of without a pest control professional but some home gardeners like to buy lady bugs, a natural predator of the aphid. These little guys are tiny, green, and roam around in groups of, oh, about 1,000. Good luck.
MOSQUITOES
Anyone who doesn’t believe in the use of pesticides should be forced inside a phone booth with 1,000 mosquitoes for 5 minutes. Mosquitoes are Spring’s nightmare and they’re out in full force this year. Florida’s even got a giant variety that’s the stuff of nightmare. Classic Florida! Some communities are lucky enough to have “spray trucks” that roam the streets spraying mosquito repellent this time of year but you’ll do well to get any standing water away from your home to keep these bugs at bay.
BEES
Bees are the worst…just kidding! Bees are endangered. They’re totally necessary for successfully pollinating all kinds of plants we all eat, so cut them some slack. BUT. Some people (like The Bug Enthusiast) are deadly allergic to nature’s little wonder and would prefer they not hang out near the house. Try your best to cut back flowering plants from around doors and windows and again, remove all close standing water. If all else fails, though, call an exterminator.
Which Spring pests are you most dreading? Aphids ate all my tomatoes last year so I’m already on guard for those little jerks…
