How to Prepare for Spring Pest Season in Denver

Pests are worst in Denver from June to September. That’s only about four months, which sounds manageable until you realize just how much pests can do in four months. With Denver, it feels like there is no buildup. One week you’re fine, the next week mosquitoes are here, then wasps, and then ants. Ants everywhere.

The preparation you do now, in spring, plays a huge role in how much you deal with in summer. Here are a few things you can do to make life a little easier later this year.

Get Rid of Standing Water

As the winter snows melt, water pools across the metro, sometimes in the most random of places. It’s not just drainage lines either, sometimes you’ll find low spots in your yard full of water. These pools are breeding sites that make it possible for mosquitoes to take off in June.

In spring, it’s a good idea to walk your property and dump, drain, or flip anything that holds water. Common sources of mosquito trouble include clogged gutters, birdbaths, plant saucers, kids’ toys, wheelbarrows, and tarps. It’s also a good idea to fix drainage issues that show up after rain or irrigation. Mosquitoes only need a bottle cap of standing water to breed, so even small sources matter.

Clear Debris and Trim Vegetation

Mosquitoes rest in dense, shaded vegetation during the day. So if you have shrubs that are overgrown, thickly grown cover, or clutter along your fence lines, you’ll want to take care of that. Doing this lets more air flow through and reduces shade, so mosquitoes can’t hide as easily.

It’s a good idea to clear out winter debris like leaf piles and fallen branches. This not only helps with mosquitoes, but it can also reduce tick problems as well.

Seal Home Entry Points

As temperatures warm, wasps start building nests, ants begin foraging, and spiders become more visible. All of them look for ways inside.

It helps here to check around doors and windows, as well as utility lines. Replacing worn weather stripping and door sweeps can help keep pests out. If you see cracks in your foundation, seal those up with caulk. Small openings let ants establish trails into your kitchen and it’s how spiders find out about all the cozy places in your garage or basement.

Deal with Wasps Early

Wasps are pretty scary once their numbers get out of control, so acting early is extra important here. Wasp queens emerge from overwintering in spring and immediately begin building colonies. Small early-stage nests under eaves, in sheds, or along rooflines are easy to deal with now. But if you have basketball-sized hives in July, those are going to be very hard to remove without professional help.

Don’t Forget About Ticks

Ticks become active earlier in the season than mosquitoes. In Colorado, ticks start moving once ground temperatures warm above freezing, which can be as early as March in the Denver metro. By the time you're doing spring yard cleanup, tick season is already underway.

Rocky Mountain wood ticks and American dog ticks are both common along the Front Range. If your property borders open space, trails, or has deer or rabbit activity, you are likely to be exposed to ticks. As with mosquitoes, you can help reduce their numbers by keeping the lawn mowed and clearing leaf litter. If needed, you can also put a dry barrier between your lawn and natural areas to further reduce tick habitats.

Thinking about Scheduling East Denver Pest Control?

The best way to handle East Denver’s compressed pest season is to start treatment before pest populations have a chance to take off. Scheduling your first professional treatment in the month of May is a great way to do that. That way, you take care of pests before their populations spiral out of control.

Mosquito Squad of East Denver provides seasonal pest treatments for mosquitoes, ticks, ants, and more. Treatments are topped off every 21 days to make sure pest problems don’t sneak up on you. There are no long-term contracts or hidden fees, so if you’re on the fence, you can start without getting locked in for the long-term.

Getting your Denver yard ready for pest season? Call Mosquito Squad of East Denver at (720) 500-8064 or contact us online for a free quote.