Spring Pest Checklist

Kansas City Spring Pest Checklist

Spring is when many Kansas City pests become active again: termites swarm, ants trail indoors, wasps start nests and mosquitoes breed in the first standing water. A 20-minute walk around the house in March or April catches most of it early. Here is what to check.

1
Pull mulch and soil back from the foundation
Keep mulch thin and a few inches below the siding. Mulch piled against the house holds moisture and gives ants and termites a hidden bridge to wood.
2
Clean gutters and check downspouts
Water that dumps next to the foundation soaks the soil termites and moisture-loving ants need. Extend downspouts so water drains away from the house.
3
Look for discarded wings on windowsills and near light fixtures
Piles of small, equal-length wings in March through May are the classic sign of a termite swarm — often the only sign you'll see.
4
Check the foundation for mud tubes
Pencil-width tubes of dirt running up the foundation, crawlspace piers or basement walls are termite highways. Don't break them open before an inspection.
5
Watch for the first ant trails
Spring trails along counters, baseboards and door thresholds usually lead back to a colony outside or in a wall. Note where they come in before you wipe them away.
6
Knock down wasp starter nests under the eaves
In April and May a paper wasp nest has one or two wasps. A long-handled broom from a distance handles it; anything bigger, near a door, or in the ground is ours.
7
Move firewood and yard debris away from the house
Wood piles against the house shelter spiders, ants and rodents and can hide termite activity. Stack firewood off the ground and away from walls.
8
Check door sweeps, screens and crawlspace vents
Daylight under a door or a torn screen is an open invitation. Crawlspace vents should have intact screens.
9
Empty anything that holds standing water
Buckets, plant saucers, tarps and clogged gutters breed mosquitoes within a week of warm weather.

When to call

Swarmers or discarded wings indoors, mud tubes, ants coming out of a wall, rodent droppings, or a wasp nest near a door. Text a photo to (913) 738-7827 and we'll tell you what it is. See also termite swarm season and pests by season.

Spring Pests — Common Questions

When do termites swarm in Kansas City?+

Usually on warm, humid days after a spring rain, most often from March through May. Swarms last less than an hour, so discarded wings on windowsills are often the only evidence.

Why do I see more ants in the kitchen every spring?+

Colonies become active as the soil warms and send foragers looking for food and water. Kitchens and bathrooms have both. The trail usually leads back to a colony outside the foundation or inside a wall.

Is spring a good time to start a pest plan?+

Yes. A first treatment in early spring gets ahead of the ant, spider and wasp season instead of reacting to it in July. No contract is required either way.