Category Archives: General Pest

 
Dengue fever (pronounced DEN-gay FEE-ver) is a painful mosquito-borne virus that is spreading rapidly throughout the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), by June 24, 2024, over 9.7 million cases of dengue fever were reported throughout the Americas. That is more than double the cases seen in all of 2023.

Also known as “break-bone fever,” dengue fever flourishes in tropical and sub-tropical climates, making regions like Hawaii, Southern Florida, the Gulf Coast, the Southeastern United States, and parts of Southern California particularly susceptible to outbreaks. People living in or traveling to these locations or popular international destinations like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Bangkok, New Delhi, and Cancún must guard against infection. It is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.

How Dengue Fever Spreads & Why You Don’t Develop Immunity

Dengue fever spreads to humans primarily through the bites of infected female Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These mosquitoes feed on human blood typically by day but also at night so they can lay eggs to breed more biters.

There are actually four closely related viruses known as dengue fever. All are transmitted by blood-sucking female mosquitoes. If you contract and recover from one dengue virus, you develop some immunity to that same virus but have no protection against the other three. Once you have had dengue fever, you are more likely to experience severe and possibly fatal symptoms the next time you get it.

Symptoms of Dengue Fever

Most people who contract dengue fever experience only minor symptoms that resolve within one to two weeks. For others, dengue is a painful and debilitating experience.
Dengue fever symptoms typically occur roughly four to 10 days following infection, including symptoms such as:

• High fever (104°F/ 40°C)
• Extreme headaches
• Severe pain in muscles, bones, and joints
• Pain behind the eyes
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Swollen glands
• Rash appears two to five days after the fever’s onset
• Mild bleeding (nose bleeds, bleeding gums, bruising)

Severe Dengue Fever Symptoms

For some people, mild dengue fever symptoms are mistaken for the flu. However, serious complications like dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) with more severe symptoms can develop, including:

• Severe stomach pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Systemic bleeding, such as from the nose, gums, internal organs, and under the skin
• Trouble breathing or catching breath
• Severe fatigue
• Restlessness and irritability

In extreme cases, Dengue hemorrhagic fever leads to shock and death. Thankfully, it is rare. People with weak immune systems and those getting infected with dengue a second time are at greatest risk from severe dengue fever symptoms and DHF.

Dengue Fever Treatment

We have no treatment or practical cure for dengue fever. The symptoms can typically be managed at home, though severe cases require hospitalization. Keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Rest and treat pain with acetaminophen. Avoid using anti-inflammatory drugs if you suspect dengue, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. It’s important to seek medical treatment and get the guidance of a trusted doctor if you suspect you or someone else has Dengue Fever.

How to Reduce The Risk of Dengue Fever

Although incidents of dengue fever are rising rapidly worldwide, there are just two ways to reduce the risk of contracting it. The best way to prevent dengue fever is through mosquito control and avoiding getting bitten. The other way is through the dengue vaccine, which has very limited availability.

Mosquito Protection

Learning how to prevent dengue fever is similar to preventing Zika, West Nile, and other mosquito-borne diseases — it’s all about avoiding mosquito bites.

Effectively combating mosquitoes is a multi-step process. It requires making your yard and home less attractive to mosquitoes by eliminating all sources of standing water and keeping the grass cut short. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored protective clothing such as long sleeves, long pants, socks, and shoes. Additionally, add mosquito-repelling plants to your garden or wear insect repellants. Professional outdoor pest control services are also vital to help protect your family from itchy bites and mosquito-borne illnesses.

Mosquito control works alongside your efforts to deny the biters essential breeding grounds. It requires an all-hands-on-deck approach to protect yourself, your family, and even your pets from these pests. Remember that every itchy mosquito bite leads to more biting mosquitoes! (Blech!) Even when you don’t get dengue fever or Zika from a mosquito bite, the dirty, nasty things inject you with their saliva and feed on your blood!

Dengue Vaccine

There is only one vaccine available in the U.S. — Dengvaxia®. It is approved only for children ages nine through 16 who have been infected with dengue previously.
The limited use and availability of dengue vaccines make professional mosquito control and home-protection practices all the more critical.

Fight the Spread of Dengue Fever with Mosquito Joe®!

Mosquito Joe is your go-to biter-fighter and pest-control partner. Whether your mosquitoes carry dengue fever or just the usual bag of itchy-making yuck, we make sure they steer clear of you and yours. We customize our comprehensive pest control services to meet the specific needs of your family and property. During our visit, we seek out the spots where mosquitoes hide and breed on your property so we can send them packing.

We know you’ll be pleased with our service because the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee back everything we do. No job is done until it’s done right.
Request a free quote today! Let’s beat those biters and make the outdoors fun again!

 
During winter’s gray days, we long for clear skies and sunny weather. So do mosquitoes. Like most humans they feast on, mosquitoes prefer temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As different regions experience very different weather patterns, the question, “When is mosquito season?” has different answers in different states. Let’s dive in to see when mosquito season, or the time of peak mosquito activity, starts in your state and learn the worst states for mosquitoes — and why.

Mosquito Population by State

Mosquito populations vary by weather conditions. Alongside professional mosquito control, cold weather imposes the most significant constraint on mosquito activity. In weather colder than 50F, most mosquitoes slip into a dormant-like state known as diapause. When warmer weather returns, they wake up, eager to feast on our blood (blech!). So, states with a long, cold winter get a welcome respite from mosquito activity. States with regions that revel in mild to warm weather year-round (Parts of California, Texas, and Florida, we’re looking at you) are the worst states for mosquitoes.

Of the more than 200 types of mosquitoes in the U.S., just 12 infect humans with viruses or parasites. Let’s see where the most problematic are found and where you will likely encounter them.

Southwest & West

Mosquito Season in This Region

Mosquito season in the Southwest and West of the U.S. typically extends from mid-February to early November, peaking in the summer months. In warmer areas, such as low-elevation regions of Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California, mosquitoes remain active nearly year-round. However, mosquito populations may be less dense in dry areas with low humidity, minimal rainfall, and little development or agriculture as water sources are crucial for mosquito breeding.

Mosquito Species Found in This Region

In the Southwest, the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is aggressive and active during the day. It carries West Nile Virus, Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue, and Yellow Fever. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is another daytime feeder that carries Chikungunya and Dengue and is found throughout the Southwest and West.

North & Northeast

Mosquito Season in This Region

Mosquito season in the North and Northeast typically starts in late April. It runs through October or into November, peaking in July and August. Abnormal weather patterns, such as the unusually warm winter of 2023-2024, affect mosquito activity. Mosquitoes wake up hungry when the weather warms and disappear when temps drop below 50F, regardless of what the calendar says.

Mosquito Species Found in This Region

The Northern house mosquito (scientific name Culex pipiens) is typically found in stagnant water loaded with organic content throughout the North. It carries St. Louis encephalitis and canine heartworm. The Asian tiger mosquito is also found in Northeastern states.

Midwest

Mosquito Season in This Region

Mosquito season generally begins in early April, even early March in most Southern regions of the Midwest, and continues until early October. The wet springs and humid summers provide prime breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

Mosquito Species Found in This Region

Western encephalitis mosquitoes (Culex tarsalis) have a particularly painful bite and are active throughout the Midwest. They can carry St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, and Western equine encephalitis. The common malaria mosquito (Anopheles quadrimaculatus) carries both malaria and canine heartworms. Though malaria transmission is rare in the U.S., a few cases occur each year. It is most active during early morning and dusk, ceding daytime feeding to the Asian tiger mosquito, also found in the Midwest.

South & Southeast

Mosquito Season in This Region

Early March to October is when mosquito season runs in the South and Southeast. However, the warmth and higher humidity along the Gulf Coast can cause mosquitoes to become active from February through November or nearly year-round in some areas.

Mosquito Species Found in This Region

The southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) is found throughout the South, often making its home indoors with us. It rests in a quiet spot during the day and bites at night. In the Southeast, yellow fever, Asian tigers, and common malaria mosquitoes are active.

Proven Strategies to Combat Mosquitoes in Every State

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), deaths from mosquito-borne diseases are relatively rare in the U.S. Still, many people and pets can experience sickness, allergic reactions, and itchy bumps from mosquito bite contact. Entomologists from the CDC, academic institutions, and pest control companies like Mosquito Joe recommend the following strategies to combat mosquitoes and protect yourself and your family.

• Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes need standing water for breeding and drinking. Eliminate all sources of still water on your property, including plant catch trays, blocked gutters, and anything that holds rainwater. A female mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs in just a bottle cap of water! Inspect your property after every rain.
• Keep the yard trimmed and tidy: Mosquitoes hide in long grasses and garden debris. Keep the grass cut short, weed, and clean up leaf litter regularly.
• Use essential oils: Make your own mosquito repellent from essential oils like eucalyptus, cinnamon, and peppermint.
• Hire professional mosquito control: Peak mosquito season is when the nasty biters are most active in your area. If they get ahead of you, call in professional pest control from Mosquito Joe so you can enjoy your outdoor spaces in peace.

Be Mosquito-Savvy — Know When and How to Fight Back!

Now that you know when mosquito season is due to start in your area, it’s time to gear up for the battle ahead. In addition to your efforts to combat mosquitoes, learn what Mosquito Joe can bring to the fight.

• Barrier Sprays: Our service professional treats your property with a water-based insecticide, seeking all the places mosquitoes hide to eliminate them. Then, we establish a barrier around your property, preventing outside biters from entering your property for up to 21 days. Your follow-up treatments are automatically scheduled, and you don’t have to be home when we visit.
• Eco-Friendly Pest Control: We also offer natural, plant-based treatments to rid your property of mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. These treatments use pest-repelling essential oils like rosemary, lemongrass, and peppermint and are effective for 14 to 21 days.
• Mosquito Misting Systems: If you need extra protection because you live near a source of standing water or have a family member allergic to mosquitoes, a misting system is an excellent choice. It is a self-contained pesticide dispenser we install on your property. The device emits a fine mist throughout your property at pre-programmed times.
• Mosquito Traps: When spraying is not an option, our specialized mosquito traps protect your family and property from the biters. These traps attract female mosquitoes preparing to lay their eggs. Each insect that visits the trap gets coated with toxins, which the female mosquitoes spread to other mosquitoes and their eggs.

Mosquito Joe is your trusted partner in effective mosquito control. Everything we do is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and the Mosquito Joe® Satisfaction Guarantee. We know that no job is done until it’s done right. Request a free quote today.

Let’s make your outdoor spaces fun again!

 
There is no quicker way to ruin a customer’s experience (or tank a 5-star rating) than a pest problem. Don’t risk a cloud of gnats hanging over the fairway, a few biting mosquitoes dining on guests on the patio, or a single rat that scurries into view. Commercial pest control service is as essential for retail spaces, as it is for country clubs, multi-unit residential properties and any other commercial property. But there is a lot that you and your staff can do to roll up the welcome mat for pests. These strategies should be a part of any business pest control plan.

Common Pests in Commercial Settings

Like the rest of us, pests go where they can meet their basic needs for food, water, and shelter. The pests common in commercial settings vary by the type of business you run. Food service companies attract pests that eat what we do, like rats, cockroaches, flies, and ants. Golf courses attract those that feed on the grounds and the golfers, like gnats, aphids, turfgrass ants, and mosquitoes. Mosquito Joe® commercial pest control strategies target the critters attracted to your premises.

Why Does Commercial Pest Control Matter?

You know commercial pest control is essential to protecting your property, resources, clientele, and customer base. Different pests can cause significant damage if they enter your premises unchecked (rodents, we’re looking at you). You invest too much money in your business supplies to have them chewed on and destroyed. Silverfish, cockroaches, and rodents damage paper products, while carpenter ants, bedbugs, and fleas damage and infest furniture. Moths and carpet beetles damage textiles and clothing, and rodents chew through electrical wiring. Mosquito Joe’s commercial pest control targets critters on your property so we can keep them out of your buildings and supplies.

Business pest control protects against more than property damage. The critters that eat up your supplies are unsanitary, risking health code violations and worse. Invest in pest control for businesses to protect your staff and customers from pest-borne diseases and allergens.

Pest Control Solutions for Every Industry

Every industry has its own commercial pest control challenges. Mosquito Joe provides tailored solutions for each, but proper facility hygiene is also critical.

Pet & Child Care Facilities

Protecting children and pets from fleas, ticks, and ants is essential. Regularly clean and disinfect floors and all surfaces. Keep play areas clean and treat pets for fleas and ticks.

Restaurants & Food Service Businesses

Rodents, roaches, flies, and ants are attracted to the same food we are. Strict sanitation procedures are essential, including storing food in sealed containers, regularly disposing of garbage, and maintaining clean drains.

Retail Stores & Warehouses

Rodents, moths, beetles, and roaches can find their way in through tiny cracks and crevices. To help keep them out, trim vegetation regularly, manage standing water to prevent mosquito breeding, and properly contain trash and food waste.

Event Venues & Hospitality

To prevent mosquitoes, flies, ants, and roaches from crashing the festivities, ensure proper waste management, use outdoor lighting that doesn’t attract insects, and keep food and dining areas clean.

Offices & Corporate Buildings

Ants, rodents, and cockroaches are not on the payroll. So, maintain cleanliness in kitchen and dining areas, manage waste efficiently, and minimize clutter where pests can hide.

Parks & Recreation Facilities

When mosquitoes, ticks, ants, or rodents come into play, no one has any fun. To help keep them out, trim vegetation regularly, manage standing water to prevent mosquito breeding, and properly contain trash and food waste.

Healthcare Facilities & Medical Offices

Caring for sick people involves resources that attract ants, flies, rodents, and cockroaches. Adhere to strict sanitation and waste disposal protocols, seal entry points, and regularly inspect and clean ventilation systems.

The most effective commercial pest control plan incorporates your efforts to limit pests’ access to your premise’s resources. Our service professionals will provide you with a detailed and customized plan to follow.

Benefits of a Proactive Pest Control Plan

At Mosquito Joe, our science-based commercial pest control program is designed by our team of Urban Entomologists. We’re experts in bugs, rodents, and other creepy crawlies, so you don’t have to be. Our pest control service professionals know where to look when to treat, and what to use to evict pests from your business. We don’t just treat the pests that are currently bugging your customers. We target every stage of the pests’ life cycle.

We also provide a custom plan for making your property more resistant to invasive critters and provide follow-up treatments to provide lasting protection and repel nearby colonies from exploring the same resources that attracted the initial pests.

Don’t Let Pests Become Your Business Partner! Call Mosquito Joe!

Mosquito Joe is your partner in effective commercial pest control. Bring in the customers, and we’ll take care of your pests! Like you, we are all about customer satisfaction, and we are certain you’ll be pleased with our service. The Neighborly Done Right Promise® and our own Mosquito Joe Guarantee back all that we do. We get the job done right the first time and work around your schedule so we don’t inconvenience your guests. Request a free quote today!

 
Rodents are clever, curious, dextrous, and skilled at causing property damage. They are also playful, charming, dirty, and riddled with diseases, parasites, fleas, and yuck. These fascinating creatures are fun to study, but not when they are on your property. It’s just a matter of time before they move indoors with you! Understanding rodent behavior informs successful rodent prevention practices and helps you to identify signs of a rodent infestation.

Rodent Identification

Why should you care about rodent identification? The pest control services teams at Mosquito Joe® are experts on the many critters they control, and it’s critical for effective rodent control. Did you know that black rats love peanut butter, but brown rats prefer smelly cheese? Knowing your quarry lets you choose the right bait.

Mice

Mice are small rodents with a body length ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 inches and a scaly, furr-less tail measuring 2.75 to 4 inches. They may be brown, gray, or white, have large ears, and weigh up to one ounce.

Rats

Adult rats reach a body length of 9 to 11 inches, with a smooth, bare tail of 7 to 9 inches. They can be white, gray, brown, or black, with small ears, and weigh up to 1.4 pounds.

Another way rodent identification is important when setting traps is that mice are more inquisitive than rats and happy to explore new things in their environment. Rats are more cautious and more likely to outwit traps.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

Of course, seeing the beady eyes staring at you and the long, naked tail when a rodent scurries away is the clearest sign you have a rodent problem. Hopefully, you’ll notice other signs of a rodent infestation outdoors first:

Droppings

Rodent droppings look like small grains of rice in a black or brown color. You may smell a stale ammonia odor. You’re most likely to spot mice and rat droppings near their burrows or along the pathways they use to find food or water.

Gnaw Marks

Gnaw marks on fence posts, outdoor furniture, plants, extension cords, and trellises are a clear sign of a rodent infestation.

Fun fact: Rats’ teeth grow constantly throughout their lives. They must continue gnawing and chewing constantly to keep the teeth from growing into their brains! They are such accomplished gnawers that rats can chew through glass, soft metals, cinderblock, and improperly cured concrete.

Nests

Different rodents build different types of nests from soft materials like leaves, discarded weeds, shredded fabric, twine, cardboard, twigs, and soil. You may notice droppings around the round opening to the nest.

Rodent Prevention Strategies

Rodents are extraordinarily adept at making a living in proximity to human activity. They come onto our property and then into our homes seeking food, water, and shelter. Effective rodent control measures deny the critters the habitat they crave, so they go elsewhere. It is critical to remove rodents from your outdoor property before they move inside. Once they come indoors, the health risks to your family are far higher, and you’ll battle the fleas they carry as well as the rodents themselves.

Seal It Up: Don’t Let Rodents Find a Way Inside

Scrutinize your fences and walls from top to bottom, sealing any chinks or holes with caulk. Mice can squeeze through holes the size of a pencil, while full-grown rats can use holes the size of a quarter. Repair torn screens and replace bent window frames to help keep them outside.

Food Lockdown: Avoid Feeding Rodents Accidentally

Human garbage, rotting fruit and veggies, spilled birdseed, and scattered pet food offer rodents a smorgasbord. No wonder they won’t leave! Seal your trash cans, empty them frequently, and keep them clean. Store all food in air-tight containers, and promptly wipe up spills. Temporarily suspend feeding the birds, clean up spilled seed, and store feed securely. Never feed pets outdoors.

Going Dry: Don’t Provide Water For Rodents

Repair all leaky faucets and sprinklers. Get rid of all potential sources of standing water, and clean out the gutters and downspouts to remove any handy watering holes.

Yard Cleanup: Take Away Rodent Shelter

Harvest fruits and veggies promptly, discarding any that fall or rot. Mow your grass short, trim back shrubs, vines, and trees, keeping all foliage away from the house — mice and rats use limbs and vines to reach your roof. Use large, chunky mulch rather than finely shredded materials rodents love for their bedding. Clean up clutter that provides shelter or hiding places.

Dealing With A Rodent Infestation

Our tips above are more effective at rodent prevention than removal. Once you see the signs of a rodent infestation on your property, you’ll need to take more direct action to keep them from moving indoors.

DIY Tactics

There are several ways you can combat a rodent infestation yourself. Snap traps designed with a spring-loaded bar to catch rodents are highly effective. They also require frequent handling to remove the dead rodent (ewww) and reset. Use gloves and tongs. Remember that the rodent’s body and fluids contain many diseases, parasites, and fleas.

Essential oils, such as peppermint, lemon, citronella, or eucalyptus, can make an effective rodent repellent. Add two teaspoons of the oil to a cup of water, shake well, and spray where you see signs of rodent activity.

When to Call a Pro To Combat Rodents

If your signs of rodent infestation have become billboards, or your DIY rodent prevention is just not enough, call in rodent control professionals. If a family member’s health is compromised, getting rid of the rodents quickly and efficiently is critical.

What Exterminators Do Get Rid of Rodents

Professional rodent exterminators use various methods to rid your property of rodents. At Mosquito Joe, our service professionals use bait to lure rodents to humane traps so we can remove them from your property. We do not enter your home, and we use no toxic chemicals or poisons that could harm other wildlife or leave dead or dying rodents on your property. Finally, we treat your property with rodent repellent at strategic points to prevent local populations from moving back in.

Know the Risks and Exercise Caution When Dealing With Rodents

Make no mistake — signs of a rodent infestation are a serious health hazard.

Disease Risks

Hantavirus causes a severe and sometimes fatal respiratory disease. The most common way humans contract this virus is by breathing in dust contaminated with a rodent’s saliva, urine, feces, or nesting materials (sorry, but this is important). The virus can be transmitted through contact or through the air. Activities like sweeping or vacuuming up rodent bedding can aerosolize particles from their disturbed waste, making cleanup of rodent infestations hazardous. Even dead rodents are dangerous because of the diseases they carry.

Secure Trapping

Place the traps in the runways the rodents use and bait them with peanut butter. Then, hope that innocent wildlife or pets don’t find the traps first with tragic results. But hoping is not enough. It is best to place the snap trap inside a closed box with a small opening for the rodent to access. Keep children and pets well away from the traps. Wear gloves and use tongs when handling dead rodents. Place them in a plastic bag and tie it tightly. Discard in the trash and wash your hands well!

Repellent Caution

We understand how attractive some DIY solutions are. But when it comes to pest control, DIY can be a terrible idea. If the repellant doesn’t work, relying on it lets the infestation grow. Remember that some essential oils and other ingredients can be harmful to pets and wildlife.

If you see signs of a rodent infestation on your property, call the experts at Mosquito Joe to get rid of the critters. You can count on being pleased with our services because the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee back everything we do. Request a free quote today!

Insects are incredibly diverse in form, behavior, and food sources. Those we consider pests feed on our plants, our animals, and even ourselves. Our activity impacts these insect populations and behaviors enormously. There is little overlap between the worst winter insects in urban areas and those in rural locations. Suburban pests are particularly interesting because they must contend with influences from both our urban and rural settings. Let’s take a look at these critters, as well as urban pests and rural farm insects, to see our influence at work.

Winter Insects in Rural Areas

Winter insects live in conditions as close to their natural habitat as can be found among humans. Their populations and behaviors are the least affected by us.

Asian Multicolored Lady Beetles

These ladybug look-alikes are not badly behaved. In fact, they devour aphids and other garden pests. But they also out-compete native ladybugs, endangering their survival. They hibernate in winter, finding shelter in small crevices, under bark, and in barn siding.

Wood-Boring Beetles

Larger and hungrier than termites, wood-boring beetles feast on wood furniture, support joists, and decorative wood inside homes. The females of these winter pests overwinter by laying cold-resistant eggs on wood.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB)

These rural farm insects do tremendous crop damage across the country. They seek out warm, sheltered locations in attics, barns, sheds, basements, and behind baseboards to overwinter. They also hide in wood piles and hay bales for warmth.

Aphids and other Houseplant Pests

Aphids and other soft-bodied houseplant pests typically survive the winter by laying their eggs in the warm, moist soil of our plants. The hatchlings awake hungry, sucking the moisture and nutrients from the plants.

Bees

There are more than 20,000 bee species in the world, and they are certainly not pests. These hardworking insects pollinate the plants that animals and humans rely on. These winter insects huddle together in their hives, eating honey, shivering, and vibrating their wings to stay warm.

Winter Insects in Suburban Areas

Suburban pests inhabit territory that retains many aspects of their natural habitat, with open fields, parks, and varied landscapes. But they are also affected by considerable construction and human habitation.

Ticks and Fleas

These winter pests harass and harm our livestock, our pets, and sometimes even us. Ticks enter a form of dormancy known as diapause to ride out the cold. Fleas, however, come right indoors where it’s warm, and they have a ready source of blood available.

Termites

Termites burrow deep into wood or soil to survive frigid winters. Where the temps remain more moderate, they continue to eat and lay eggs right through winter. However, winter swarms typically occur just in the warmest regions of Florida.

Bed Bugs

These nasty winter insects are bloodsuckers like fleas and ticks, but they prefer feeding on human blood. The more people who live close together, the worse the bed bugs will be, so this is definitely a suburban or urban pest. While they can be found in rural areas, the greater populations and mobility in suburbs and cities create an ideal habitat for them.

Boxelder Bugs

The biggest problem with boxelder bugs is the way they overwinter. They seek out the warmth in houses and other buildings, sometimes in very large numbers. They are suburban pests due to more homes providing the essential winter shelter.

Snow Fleas

“Snow fleas” are not fleas at all. They don’t feed on blood or even bite. But they jump around like fleas and are easy to see on the snow, hence their name. Snow fleas benefit the ecosystem by feeding on decaying plant matter and fungi, turning it into nutritious soil. These winter bugs actually produce a type of antifreeze that keeps them active year-round.

Winter Insects in Urban Areas

Like suburban pests and rural farm insects, urban pests are more common where their needs for food, shelter, and reproductive needs are best met. Urban insects are those that benefit the most from human habitation.

Ticks and Fleas

Ticks and fleas feed on the blood of their hosts, whether they’re wildlife, livestock, pets, or people. Naturally, they thrive where more of their prey congregate, making them our top urban pests. While ticks hibernate and fleas slow down a bit in cold weather, fleas that overwinter indoors continue to plague our pets in winter.

Termites

While winter termite swarms occur only in the very warmest regions of the country, elsewhere, termites remain actively eating and breeding throughout the winter. They are protected from winter’s chill by the buildings that they eat.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are truly urban pests. Contrary to misconceptions, bed bugs are not a sign of poor hygiene but of our mobility and socializing. Bed bugs hitch rides from one person to another, so where more people gather, these critters play.

Ants

Ants have adapted to make an excellent living off of humans living in cities. They clean up our spilled food and have developed an exceptional heat tolerance, making them ideally suited as urban insects.

Spiders

Spiders aren’t really pests; we’re just extremely uncomfortable in their presence. They’re happy to spin their webs and feast on the insects they catch. They thrive in cities where the artificial lighting draws in insects in throngs.

How Urbanization and Human Activities Impacts Winter Insects

When humans live in vast, sprawling cities, we have an enormous impact on the environment. We affect the lives of urban insects in several ways:

• Those who feed on our blood or those of our pets enjoy the bounty of having their prey gathered so close together.
• Other urban pests thrive off our food waste.
• Our artificial lighting attracts many insects that others feed on.

Our cities, with their endless expanses of concrete and asphalt, create urban heat islands far warmer than the areas surrounding them. This temperature difference can attract pests from surrounding areas and support them through the winter.

Keep the Winter Insects Away

Trust your local Mosquito Joe® to take urban pests and winter insects out of your way. Our comprehensive pest control services include residential and commercial pest control. We’re making the outdoors fun again and keeping pests out of your indoor spaces!

All our work is backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and the Mosquito Joe Guarantee, which ensures we’ll do the job right. Request a free quote, and we’ll tell those winter insects to bug off!