Spring in the Midwest is beautiful. The snow melts, flowers bloom, and everything comes back to life. Unfortunately, that includes pests. Ants and wasps are some of the most common spring and summer problems for homeowners in Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
Carpenter ants can damage your home. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. But they dig through it to make nests. They look for wet or rotting wood. In the Midwest, spring rain can cause moisture problems in basements and crawl spaces. That attracts carpenter ants. If you see large black ants inside your home, especially in spring, check for water damage. Fixing leaks and replacing rotten wood is the first step.
Wasps and yellow jackets are aggressive in late summer. In the Midwest, wasp nests grow through spring and summer. By August, nests can be very large. Wasps become more aggressive as their colony grows. They build nests under eaves, in trees, and even in the ground. If you find a nest near your home, do not try to remove it yourself. Wasps can sting many times and cause serious allergic reactions.
Ants invade kitchens every spring. Small black ants and odorous house ants are very common in the Midwest. They enter homes looking for food. A line of ants on your kitchen counter is a sign of a larger colony outside. Follow the trail to find where they are coming in. Seal the crack and clean the area with vinegar to remove the scent trail.
What you can do. Check your home for moisture problems after spring rain. Trim tree branches away from your house. Seal cracks in your foundation. Keep food in sealed containers. If you find a wasp nest or have a carpenter ant problem, call a professional. USPC serves all Midwest states.
