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After a winter consisting of cold temperatures, unusual precipitation patterns, and heavy snowfall, experts at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) are warning that pests could emerge sooner and in larger numbers across the country than in recent years. By analyzing weather patterns, long-term forecasts, and pest biology, NPMA experts produced the Spring and Summer 2026 Bug Barometer forecast that helps homeowners and pest professionals prepare for what’s coming in their specific region.
Timing is everything in pest control, says Nicole Carpenter, a pest control professional and the president of Black Pest Prevention in Charlotte, North Carolina. “The Bug Barometer can tell you if you should expect certain pests earlier in the season, which means you need to start inspections and treatments sooner to prevent infestations,” she explains. “Knowing if termites are going to swarm earlier or mosquitoes will start breeding sooner allows you to take action before problems show up.”
In order to prepare for the approaching bug boom, review the predictions for your region below. We’ve included the specific pests to look out for and what to do to prevent an infestation.
Predictions By Region
Depending on where you live, you can expect an influx of certain types of insects.
Mid-Atlantic and New England
(Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia)
A mild start to the winter and a drier spring will help jumpstart pest season, with termites, brown marmorated stink bugs, and Asian lady beetles emerging ahead of schedule. As temperatures rise, expect more ticks and stinging insects as well.
Intermountain and Southwest
(New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, California)
Warmer winter temperatures could create thriving conditions for cockroaches and flies throughout spring and summer. Later on, monsoon rains could drive scorpions and spiders indoors as they seek shelter.
South Central
(Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas)
Despite a cold winter, a mild and damp spring is likely to create ideal conditions for termites, ticks, and mosquitoes to surge early. Heavy summer rains and tropical storms are expected to provide the perfect breeding ground for flies.
North Central
(North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Wyoming)
Warmer spring conditions could trigger an early tick season, while late-season rainfall will spike fly and cockroach activity. Midsummer will bring pressure from yellow jackets and wasps if the forecasted above-average temperatures arrive.
Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Midwest
(West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota)
Rising spring temperatures are expected to trigger pest pressures sooner than usual. Summer conditions will spike fly and tick activity, and cockroach and ant invasions indoors following heavy rainfall.
Southeast
(North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida)
A warm, wet spring may boost activity among termites, mosquitoes, and ants earlier than years before. Summer will increase fly and cockroach pressure, with tropical storms triggering mosquito surges from standing water.
Northwest
(Idaho, Washington, Oregon)
Mild winter and spring conditions could send ants and stinging insects out early, as cockroaches and rodents seek water indoors. Summer brings more flies and mosquitoes north, and yellow jackets and ants south.
Tips to Prevent and Deter Common Pests
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to prevent pests from entering your home.
Ants
- Keep your house clean.
- Don’t leave food out, and store it in sealed containers.
- Eliminate damp spots and rotted wood.
- Seal cracks, holes, and other possible entrances into your home.
- Remove ant trails by spraying a mixture of vinegar and water along the length of the trail.
- Set ant baits.
Cockroaches
- Seal entry points such as baseboards, utility pipes, and crawl spaces.
- Inspect items entering your home.
- Maintain a clean kitchen.
- Vacuum to eliminate potential egg sacs and debris.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Remove clutter.
- Secure trash cans with tight lids away from entrances.
- Keep vegetation trimmed and away from the home’s exterior.
- Store firewood away from the house.
Flies
- Wipe down surfaces.
- Take out the trash regularly.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Routinely clean sinks and bathtubs.
- Fix cracks, crevices, and screens.
- Take care of landscaping issues like standing water.
Mosquitoes
- Eliminate standing water in rain gutters, buckets, plastic covers, or any other container where mosquitoes can breed.
- Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays at least once a week.
- Drain or fill temporary pools of water with dirt.
- Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.
- Cover all gaps in walls, doors, and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering.
- Repair torn window and door screens.
- Choose certain plants known to keep mosquitoes away.
Scorpions
- Eliminate standing water.
- Seal cracks and crevices, especially around doors and windows.
- Inspect cabinets, closets, and other dark places on a regular basis.
- Clear away brush, debris, and woodpiles from the perimeter of your home.
- Deter crickets, which scorpions feed off of, by turning outdoor lights off at night.
Spiders
- Seal entry points, such as small cracks and openings around windows, doors, and vents.
- Repair damaged screens.
- Vacuum spiderwebs.
- Maintain a clean home by wiping down surfaces and dusting.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Avoid clutter.
- Keep a tidy yard by trimming bushes, removing ivy and other vines, mowing the lawn regularly, and removing leaf piles or wood stacks.
- Reduce outdoor lighting or switch to yellow or sodium vapor lights.
- Use natural repellents like essential oils or vinegar spray.
Stinging Insects (yellow jackets and wasps)
- Remove sugary food sources like fruit, nectar, and certain leftovers.
- Keep outdoor eating areas clean.
- Keep garbage in cans with tightly sealed lids.
- Trim and maintain landscaping to eliminate potential nesting spots.
- Install screens on windows, vents, and other openings.
- Avoid bright colors, especially yellow, to keep wasps and bees away.
- Create decoy nests to deter them from building their own nests nearby.
Termites
- Keep the soil around the foundation of your house dry through proper grading and drainage, which includes maintenance of gutters and downspouts.
- Use cement, grout, or caulk to fill cracks in the foundation and holes around where utilities pass through the wall.
- Fix any leaks right away.
- Keep vents free from any blockages.
- Avoid planting trees and shrubs close to your house.
- Don’t pile or store firewood or wood debris next to your house.
Ticks
- Remove leaf litter.
- Clear tall grass and brush around your home and at the edge of the lawn.
- Place a 3-foot-wide barrier of wood chips or gravel between lawns and wooded areas to restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
- Mow the lawn frequently.
- Stack wood neatly in a dry area.
- Discourage unwelcome animals (such as deer, raccoons, and stray dogs) from entering your yard by constructing fences.
- Remove old furniture, mattresses, and trash from the yard that may give ticks a place to hide.
- Plant vegetation that repels ticks.
The post The Surprising Consequence of This Winter’s Heavy Snow? A Banner Season for Mosquitoes, Ticks, and Other Bugs appeared first on Bob Vila.