Spring in Minnesota brings a welcome wave of warmer weather, blooming flowers and trees, and unfortunately, more and more pests starting to stir. As the snow melts and the temperature climbs steadily above freezing, all those critters that had hunkered down for the winter start to get restless – hungry for some food, a drink, and somewhere to raise a family.
In St. Paul and all over the state of Minnesota, homeowners start to notice all sorts of unwelcome visitors : ants making a beeline for the kitchen, mosquitoes buzzing around any puddles of standing water, termites getting an early start on their annual swarming, and rodents suddenly deciding to make a break for it after spending the winter cooped up indoors. Knowing which pests are likely to pop up in spring can give you a real head start on preventing infestations before they cost you an arm and a leg.
In this guide, we’re going to take a run through the ten most common spring pests in Minnesota, explain why they get so active, give you some warning signs to watch out for, and share some practical tips for keeping them at bay.
Why Do Pests go into Overdrive in Spring?
Winters are pretty unforgiving but they do give some pests a chance to hunker down in their cozy little hideaways where they can just rest up and save their energy till it warms up a bit. But as soon as spring rolls around and the temperature starts rising, all those critters start to stir and suddenly the whole place is alive with pests because:
- Food starts to become more available
- All that melting snow brings a lot of moisture with it
- The plants start growing again
- Insects start looking for a mate
- It’s light out longer, so they are more active
- And most of all, homes become a lot more accessible when people start leaving their windows and doors open.
It all adds up to make spring one of the pestiest times of year in Minnesota.
10 Common Spring Pests in Minnesota
| Pest | Why They’re Active | Common Locations | Potential Risk |
| Ants | Searching for food | Kitchens, foundations | Food contamination |
| Termites | Swarming season | Wooden structures | Structural damage |
| Mosquitoes | Standing water | Yards, gardens | Disease transmission |
| Ticks | Warmer temperatures | Tall grass, wooded areas | Lyme disease |
| Wasps | Queen starts new colonies | Roofs, decks | Painful stings |
| Spiders | Hunting insects | Basements, garages | Indoor infestations |
| Rodents | Searching for nesting sites | Attics, walls | Property damage |
| Carpenter Ants | Nest expansion | Damp wood | Wood damage |
| Boxelder Bugs | Leaving winter shelters | Sunny walls | Indoor nuisance |
| Cockroaches | Increased humidity | Kitchens, basements | Health concerns |
1. Ants
Ants start showing up in peoples homes usually around spring. As winter comes to an end & they get active again , the worker ants kick into high gear and start scoping out food & water.
What to Watch For
- Trails of ants just wandering around in your kitchen
- Finding ants near your pets food
- Discovery of small little piles of dirt near the side of the house
- Oh no winged ants just showed up inside your house
Keeping Ants at Bay
- Store your food in proper containers, you know seal the deal.
- Keep the crumbs at bay by cleaning up after every meal.
- Get out the caulk and seal up any cracks around doors & windows.
- If your water pipes are leaking, you need to get them fixed ASAP.
2. Termites
When termites fly out of mature colonies to start new ones, spring is usually when this happens. This is a big deal for people in Minnesota, its one of the most important times to check your property.
Warning Signs You Got a Problem
- Got flying termites just hanging around
- Finding discarded wings around the house
- Those mud tubes are a dead giveaway
- When you tap on wood and it sounds hollow
- When your paint is bubbling up
Termites can go months without being noticed because they stay pretty well hidden. Learn how professional termite treatment can protect your home.
3. Mosquitoes
Spring rain & melting snow create an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Female mosquitoes just love laying eggs in standing water so populations can start growing exponentially.
Where Mosquitoes Like to Breed
- Bird baths – yikes
- Gutters that are clogged with water
- Flower pots that are waterlogged
- Your kids toys left out in the yard
- Fishing buckets that ended up out in the yard
- Ponds – those little ponds in the back yard are a breeding ground
Removing all that standing water is probably the most effective way to reduce those pesky mosquitoes. Learn 10 surprising mosquito facts that every Minnesota homeowner should know.
4. Ticks
Once spring temperatures consistently stay above freezing, ticks just start to appear. They love to hang out in:
- Tall grass just swaying away in the breeze
- Wooded trails
- Leaf piles that accumulated over winter
- Your shrubs
- Backyard landscaping that needs a good clean up
Ticks can carry all sorts of nasty diseases, so its really important to start taking precautions now.
5. Wasps
Only the queen makes it through the winter and then in springs she starts building her colony around your house.
Look for wasp nests in some pretty normal places like:
- Roof eaves where the shingles are worn
- Your outdoor decks
- Sheds in the back yard
- Garages that need a good clean out
- Porch ceilings that are a little creaky
If you catch the small nests early its way less of a problem than dealing with bigger ones later in the summer.
6. Spiders
As the weather starts warming up in spring all the other insects start to crawl out of the woodwork and spiders just love to chow down on them.
Although most of the spiders you will find in Minnesota are harmless, people still get a little freaked out when they see them in places like:
- Basements that are a little musty
- Crawl spaces that are never cleaned out
- Storage rooms that are never used
- Garages that need a good clean out
- Window corners where the paint is chipped
Most Minnesota spiders are harmless, but it’s still important to know which ones can pose a risk. Read our guide to poisonous spiders in Minnesota.
7. Rodents – The Unwelcome Winter Guests
Loads of mice and rats think of your home as a cosy winter retreat.
But as soon as spring arrives, if they think they can still get a free lunch, they’ll probably stick around and continue nesting
Spotting Rodents
- Tiny droppings on the floor
- Gnaw marks on wood and other surfaces
- Scratching noises in the walls at night
- Nesting materials used to make themselves a comfy bed
- Greasy smudges on walls where they’ve been rubbing up against them
Removing the problem early on will make sure it doesn’t get out of hand and turn into a full-blown infestation
8. Carpenter Ants – Not the Wood-Eating Kind
People often confuse these with termites, but actually, carpenter ants don’t eat wood at all. What they do is dig out damp or rotting wood to make themselves a fancy new home.
You’ll find them in all sorts of places including:
- Deck furniture
- Window frames and sills
- Old tree stumps
- Walls damaged by water
The best way to deal with carpenter ants is to keep an eye on the moisture in your home.
9. Boxelder Bugs – The Unlikely Home Invaders
As the temperature rises, these little critters leave their winter hideaways and start making a beeline for your house.
Now, they don’t really cause too much damage but they love gathering in large groups on:
- South-facing walls where the sun shines brightest
- Windows (they get a great view)
- Attics and lofts (they love the warmth)
- Siding on your house
Keeping your house free from cracks and crevices will help keep them from getting in.
10. Cockroaches – The Harbingers of Cleanliness Issues
As the weather gets warmer, these unwelcome visitors start getting busier.
You’ll most often find them in:
- Kitchens (they love a good feast)
- Bathrooms (they come to party)
- Laundry rooms and utility areas (they like a good rinse)
- Basements and cellars (they like the dark)
- Utility rooms
Keeping your home spotless and reducing moisture will make them less keen on making themselves at home.
The Top 5 Ways to Prevent Spring Pest Infestations
Preventing pests before they get a foothold is a whole lot easier than getting rid of them once they are well-established.
Top Spring Pest Prevention Tips
- Make sure you seal any cracks in your foundation
- Get those damaged screens fixed
- Don’t let water just sit around
- Keep your food in sealed containers
- Trim any plants that are touching your house
- Get your gutters cleaned out
- Remove any leaf litter that’s been accumulating
- Get a seasonal pest inspection to identify any issues
- Keep your firewood well away from your house
- Fix any leaks in your plumbing pronto
Doing these little tasks now can make a big difference in keeping those pesky critters away all spring and summer.
When Is It Time to Call the Professionals?
Some pest problems can be sorted with a bit of preventative work, but if you find:
- Lots of different pest species taking over your home
- Infestations keep coming back
- Swarms of termites blanketing your yard
- Rodents scurrying around
- Big wasp nests
- Extensive trails of ants
- Insect damage to the structure of your house
Then its time to bring in the pros to help sort it all out.
Bottom Line
Spring is when all those pesky pests in Minnesota start getting active and making their presence known. Ants, termites, mosquitoes, ticks, rodents and other unwanted critters are at their most active as the temperature rises.
Keeping on top of maintenance, keeping the moisture levels under control, and taking care of any pest problems as soon as you spot them will all help to prevent a bigger headache later on.
If you spot regular pest problems or signs of structural damage though, its probably best to get a professional in to sort it out.
Most Asked Questions
What’s the first pest to pop up in the spring in Minnesota?
Ants are usually the first to make an appearance as soon as the temperature starts to rise.
When do termites start swarming in Minnesota?
Its usually in the spring when its warmer and there’s more moisture around.
Why is it that mosquitoes are so bad after the snow melts?
Its because the melting snow creates pools of water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs and hatch.
Are spring spiders a danger?
Most of the spiders in Minnesota are harmless but can become a nuisance if there’s a huge insect population around.
How can I keep the pests at bay in the spring?
Sealing up any entry points, reducing moisture, getting rid of standing water, keeping your landscaping tidy, and getting regular pest inspections are all a good start.
