Fall in the Midwest brings much more than cooler weather and changing leaves; it’s also prime season for pests, not just inside your home but outside, as well. Around this time of year, pests are looking for food, water and shelter. Overwintering pests in particular are in search of a safe place they can hide out during the winter months. Here are six pests that you could find in your yard this season:
Rodents (Not Just Mice and Rats)
Mice and rats are the most common fall rodent invaders, with Norway rats and roof rats being the most frequently seen rat species in the Midwest. But rodent activity doesn’t stop there. You can also find voles in your yard, tunneling through your grass and mulch, as well as gophers, which damage lawns and leave noticeable dirt mounds as they burrow in search of food. All of these rodents are known for causing costly damage, some even presenting health risks to your family and pets.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are particularly unpleasant bugs to find near your home, as you can imagine. Because they’re an overwintering pest, they become more noticeable in the fall as they look for warm places to spend the colder months. They’re often found hiding in clusters in vegetation or yard debris or on sunny exterior walls before they slip inside through small cracks and gaps.
White Grubs
White grubs are small, plump, C-shaped larvae of various beetle species. They live beneath the soil and feed on plant roots. They’re known for causing damage to grass and plants, often leaving behind patchy, dying areas on people’s lawns. They hatch into larvae and start feeding around late summer. When fall arrives, it’s peak feeding season, and this is when white grubs usually cause the most damage.
Asian Lady Beetles
Often mistaken for native ladybugs, Asian lady beetles are an invasive species that gather in large numbers as the weather cools down. As crops like soybeans and corn are harvested, these beetles lose their habitats and feeding sources, driving them away from fields and into people’s yards.
While they don’t cause damage, they threaten native ladybugs, which are highly beneficial for controlling insect populations. The main concern with Asian lady beetles is that they invade in huge numbers and release a yellow, foul-smelling liquid that can leave stains when crushed, all of which are unsettling for homeowners.
Boxelder Bugs
Another common pest sighting in fall is boxelder bugs. They spend most of their time on or near boxelder trees, where they find shelter and food sources. When the weather cools down, they start moving to warmer, more sheltered areas to overwinter. That’s why you may see them gathered in large numbers around the exterior of your home in the fall, usually on sunny patches of exterior walls. These pests are pretty much completely harmless, but they’re a real nuisance.
Spiders
When you think of fall and spiders, think of insects and yard debris. Spiders invade people’s yards because they’re following their food sources, which are insects that are making their way toward people’s homes for the colder months. And when you find spiders in your yard, they will likely be hiding in leaf piles, in overgrown vegetation or under branches. The most important thing to keep in mind is that when you see spiders, it can signal an underlying insect problem.
If you see any of these pests in your yard this fall, you know who to call! The Waukee pest control pros at Pro-Staff are here for you all season long. As a five-time winner of CITYVIEW’s Best Pest Control Company in Des Moines award, we’re dedicated to continuing to serve our communities and protect local homes and businesses. Call (515) 279-7378 or contact us online for a free inspection.
