As spring begins to warm the UK, many people will welcome the longer days and lighter evenings. However, the arrival of the season also brings with it a slew of unwanted visitors—pesky pests that can cause damage to your home, garden, and even your health.
Pest control expert Joshua Houston from WhatCost has shared the five most common springtime pests to watch out for in the coming months.
1. Aphids, the Tiny Plant Menace
Aphids are the first to make their appearance as the temperatures rise. These tiny, pear-shaped insects, which can range in colour, hatch from eggs left on plants over the winter. They pose a significant threat to gardens, as they feed on the juices from leaves and stems, causing discolouration and damage. Worse still, they secrete honeydew, a sugary substance that attracts ants.
The good news? Aphids are easy to deal with. A blast from your garden hose should dislodge them from your plants, and they rarely return once washed away.
2. Fleas, Spring’s Sneaky Visitors
Fleas thrive in warmer conditions, and they often hitch a ride into your home on your pets. Attracted by body heat and carbon dioxide, fleas are most commonly found on cats and dogs, where they irritate their hosts by constantly biting. Not only are fleas uncomfortable for your pets, but they can also spread diseases.
Spotting fleas is easy—just look for small, reddish-brown insects that move quickly. To eliminate them, give your pets a thorough bath and use a flea comb to remove any stragglers. If you’ve got a serious infestation, consider calling in a professional.
3. Wasps, the Springtime Sting
As spring arrives, queen wasps emerge from hibernation, and that means a rise in wasp activity. The queens are on the lookout for suitable locations to build nests, often near homes and gardens. It’s important to tackle nests early in the season to avoid a bigger problem later in the summer.
Wasps are infamous for their painful stings, making them a major annoyance during the warmer months. To deter them, you can use traps, sprays, and by removing food sources. If you find a nest, it’s best to call in an expert to deal with it safely—trying to remove a wasp nest yourself can be risky.
4. Earwigs, Not the Worst, But Still a Nuisance
Earwigs are most active in late spring, and although they’re not dangerous to humans, they can damage plants in your garden by nibbling on them. They are often found in damp places around the home, such as bathrooms, bedrooms, and even boiler rooms.
These pests are easy to identify: they are about an inch long, with flattened brown bodies. If you have an earwig problem, a supermarket bug spray or trap should do the trick.
5. Woodlice, Tiny but Destructive
Woodlice thrive in damp conditions, making spring the perfect time for them to multiply. These small, segmented creatures can cause damage to wooden structures, whether inside or outside your home. The real concern is that they weaken wooden furniture, which could pose a safety risk—imagine sitting on a chair that suddenly collapses.
To tackle woodlice, seal any entry points to wooden areas, or use specialist powders and traps to keep them at bay.
As the warmer months roll in, it’s essential to stay vigilant for these common pests. Taking early action can help protect your home and garden from the damage these pests can cause.
Joshua Houston, Pest Control Expert at WhatCost: “After the winter season, the UK sees a rise in pest activity. This is due to the increase in temperature and the return of a lot of plant life.
“Pests can cost you a lot of money in damages, so it’s important that you are aware of what to look for. Fortunately, with these five tips, the pest control methods are simple and very affordable. Follow the tips given above, and it should sort your pest problem in no time.’’
