Columbia is in Monroe County and has a mix of rural and suburban homes. There are also wooded properties, such as The Estates at Hunters Ridge and Old Town. Most neighborhoods experience pest challenges throughout the year, especially with seasonal changes. Summers here are often humid, while winters are cold. Columbia is also close to the Mississippi River basin and forested areas, which increases pest risks. So, how do you plan to protect your home in each season? Your best bet is to team up with Columbia exterminators for preventive measures. Here is an overview. 

Seasonal Pest Cycles in Columbia

Let’s start by reviewing what to expect in each season. Top-rated services like Pointe Pest Control recommend homeowners get familiar with patterns. Spring, for example, is when termites, ants, and mosquitoes are seen. You are most likely to encounter pavement ants and odorous house ants here. Summer is the time for extreme mosquito breeding, including flies, mosquitoes, and stinging insects. Rodents and overwintering pests like boxelder bugs and stink bugs are seen in both fall and winter. 

Spring Preventative Measures

Ahead of spring, you should ask your exterminator to do a detailed inspection and consider perimeter treatment. If yours is an older home, you can consider soil treatments and bait stations to counter termites. Ensure all gaps and cracks are found and sealed. Yard cleanup is just as necessary, so ensure everything from excess mulch and vegetation to tree branches and debris are removed. 

Summer Outdoor Defense

Summer is not just about mosquitoes; but you will also find wasps and yellow jackets that form colonies. Ask the pest control company how you can prevent mosquitoes, for which the first step is to remove standing water. Monthly fogging and larvicide use are also useful. If there is a wasp nest, wait for technicians to remove it safely. You should also get your crawl spaces and basements checked for moisture problems. 

Fall Pest Invasion Prevention

Rodents like rats and mice, lady beetles, stink bugs, and other insects try to find hiding spots as fall arrives. Ask the pest control team to complete full exclusion, which includes sealing gaps along with utility openings and vents. You also need rodent bait stations around the house. Regular interior inspections are a must during winter, and it is wise to get dehumidifiers for basements and crawl spaces. 

Year-Round Planning Is Crucial 

People assume that they don’t see pests in winter, which means there is no problem. However, rodents and insects need to find warmth and food and will shift indoors. Preventive measures can be useful, not just in peak seasons but throughout the year. The goal is to prevent infestations from happening. Consistent monitoring allows exterminators to detect and address new threats before things move to the next level. The good news is most pest control services have yearly contracts keeping Columbia’s seasonal pest patterns in mind. 

Takeaways

You shouldn’t wait for an infestation, and if you find pests, it is also foolish to seek help. Homeowners delay getting exterminators for assistance, assuming that pests will vanish with a change in climate. However, that may only worsen problems. Also, infestations only fester longer when ignored because pests are great at breeding and will continue to grow as you wait for more signs. 

Contact a pest control service in Columbia today if you haven’t had an inspection in the last six months. The idea is to focus on the quality of services and overall protection instead of the price. If the selected company follows IPM standards and reduces the use of harsh chemicals and pesticides, that’s always an added benefit. When infestation gets worse, technicians will have to consider tougher measures.