East Texas Residents Grapple with Insect Home Invaders as Warm Weather Spikes Activity
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The combination of East Texas’ spring rainfall followed by hot temperatures signals the yearly struggle against summertime invaders: the ongoing campaign to prevent pesky insects from taking over.
Currently, pest control companies are inundated with clients seeking their services for eradication.
“We’re operating continuously. Some days I’m completely based out of Whitehouse, then I might be in Gilmer, Longview, or even Big Sandy; we cover everywhere,” explains exterminator Beau Breland from Jennings Termite and Pest Control.
From another viewpoint, there are more insects globally than all other species put together. The Smithsonian Institution reports that approximately 80 percent of all species worldwide are insects.
Homeowners face numerous pest challenges, with some being more apparent than others. Ants are particularly noticeable as they construct visible hills in your lawn. However, battles also rage against mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, and the most damaging invaders—termites.
“I believe these appear mostly during summertime; you notice them frequently then as they become quite active around this season. Seeing a group of termites on your land definitely suggests that they might also be present near the house or preparing to establish their colony within it,” explains Breland.
Foods commonly draw ants, cockroaches, and various pests inside homes, and establishments such as the ‘Sasquatch Trading Post’ in Gladewater continually struggle with these invaders.
I use pantry moth traps since they tend to sneak into dried foods. It’s important to prevent insects from infiltrating places like grocery stores, restaurants, or any such facility. Continuous vigilance is key,” explains owner Martin Pessink. “We also bring in an exterminator regularly.
Choosing not to take action might exacerbate the issue significantly.
“Identify a pest management service you can rely on, then proceed to initiate treatment of your home at the beginning of the year,” Beau advises.
Early indications include noticeable changes such as elevated bumps in your lawn indicating potential ant nests, and soil tubes visible externally on structures typically signify termite activity.