When the Buzzing Turns Into a Battle
Sometimes pests are just a little pesky—like the zing-zing-zing of cicadas or the kay-tee-did chorus of katydids, adding to our summertime soundtrack. As highlighted in the Iowa State University article The Singing Insects of Summer, these sounds are more nature’s music than a nuisance.
But let’s be honest, this summer in Central Iowa has been itchy, stingy, and downright uncomfortable.
The Today Show recently covered the nationwide resurgence of pest populations, including cicadas, ticks, and lanternflies. And here in Des Moines, with our soggy yards and heavy humidity, we’re seeing the same spike in pest activity. Between the constant rain and muggy air from the Midwest heat dome, the conditions are ideal for pests to thrive, and they’re not staying outside where they belong.
Why Is Pest Activity So High This Year?
Pests love warm, damp environments. This summer has delivered both in abundance.
The excess moisture creates standing water for mosquitoes to breed in.
Overgrown landscaping and saturated mulch beds become harborage points for ants, cockroaches, and spiders.
And the combination of humidity and decaying vegetation attracts stinging insects like yellowjackets and wasps.
On top of that, insects and rodents are driven indoors when the weather becomes extreme, either from heat or flooding. So even if you’ve never had pest issues in the past, this year’s conditions are a different story.
Common Summer Pests in Des Moines
Here are a few of the usual suspects we’re seeing around homes across the metro:
- Ants: These tiny intruders show up in kitchens, bathrooms, patios, and even inside walls. They’re drawn to moisture and crumbs and can nest in just about any warm, damp location.
- Mosquitoes: Warm temps and standing water create perfect breeding conditions. If you’ve got puddles, clogged gutters, or even water sitting in plant trays, mosquitoes won’t be far behind.
- Stinging insects: Wasps and yellowjackets build nests in siding, under eaves, and in trees. They become aggressive in the late summer as their colonies grow and food sources become scarce.
- Crickets and other indoor invaders: Field crickets and spiders start sneaking inside as the evenings get cooler later in the season.
What Attracts Pests During the Wet Season?
Here in the Midwest, summer pest activity spikes when the right combination of food, water, and shelter is present, a few key attractants include:
- Standing water: Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water. Regularly empty birdbaths, toys, and flowerpots. Fix drainage issues.
- Overgrown landscaping: Bushy shrubs, tall grass, and leaf litter provide excellent hiding spots for bugs and rodents.
- Unsealed trash: Wasps, ants, and flies are all attracted to uncovered or dirty garbage cans.
- Rotting or water-damaged wood: This draws carpenter ants, termites, and stinging insects looking to build nests.
- Gaps and cracks: Openings around windows, doors, and vents provide easy entry for pests seeking cooler, drier shelter indoors.
Summer Pest Prevention Tips
There are simple ways to reduce pest problems around your home—even when the weather’s working against you:
- Trim back vegetation and remove leaf piles or yard debris.
- Fix leaks and improve ventilation to reduce indoor and crawl space moisture.
- Clean out gutters and ensure downspouts are moving water away from the foundation.
- Inspect screens and doors for holes or gaps.
- Seal cracks along your foundation and around utility penetrations.
- Keep food sealed and surfaces clean inside the home.
Professional Pest Control Services in Des Moines
At Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions, we know how relentless Iowa summers can be when it comes to pest pressure. That’s why we offer flexible pest control plans that meet your needs—whether it’s a one-time treatment or seasonal protection throughout the year.
Our trained team will:
- Inspect your home and property
- Identify active pest populations and risk factors.
- Create a customized treatment plan.
- Offer ongoing service and prevention tips.
Don’t let bugs and bites take over your summer.
Give Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions a call today at 515-218-3400 or request a quote online. Let’s get your home back to being a comfortable, pest-free place to relax, even if the cicadas keep singing.