How to Prepare Your Home for Spring Pest Season
Spring marks the start of pest breeding season, and as temperatures rise, many common pests become more active in and around your home. It’s only Mid-February as we write this blog, and the mild warm-ups this week are already showing signs of pesky critter activity; we’ve gotten quite a few calls this week for bat removal due to bats becoming more active because of the warming temps.
At the show we got a lot of questions about preventing pests, and specifically about mole removal. The good news? With the right preventative steps, you can keep your home and yard pest-free all season long.
Common Spring Pests & How to Prevent Them
Moles & Voles: Lawn Destroyers
Spring’s soft, wet soil is the perfect environment for moles and voles to dig through your yard.
Signs:
- Moles: Raised tunnels just below the surface, causing soft ground and mounds
- Voles: Narrow surface trails where they’ve chewed through grassroots
Prevention:
- Avoid overwatering your lawn
- Use natural repellents like castor oil or predator urine
- If damage is severe, trapping and professional removal may be necessary
Birds Nesting in Vents & Chimneys
Signs:
- Birds entering and exiting vents or small openings
- Nesting materials like twigs and feathers accumulating
- Blocked dryer or bathroom exhaust vents
Prevention:
- Install vent covers before nesting season begins
- Remove old nests (if allowed by local laws)
- Use humane bird deterrents like decoys or reflective tape
Avoid removing nests with eggs, as many bird species are protected.
Ants & Termites: Tiny Home Invaders
Spring means more ant trails leading into kitchens and termites quietly damaging wood structures.
Signs:
- Ants: Long trails in search of food, often around windows, doors, and pantries
- Termites: Wood damage, hollow-sounding walls, and small piles of sawdust
Prevention:
- Keep food stored in airtight containers.
- Address moisture issues (termites love damp wood).
- Use bait stations for ants and professional treatment for termites.
Bats Emerging from Hibernation
Spring is when bats wake up from winter hibernation, and they may be roosting in attics, barns, or sheds.
Signs:
- Bat droppings (guano) near entry points
- Scratching sounds in walls or ceilings at night
- Bats flying near your home around dusk
Prevention:
- Seal entry points before bat maternity season (typically May-July)
- Use bat exclusion techniques (one-way doors to let bats out but not back in)
- Install bat houses nearby to provide a safe alternative roosting spot
Bats are protected in many areas, so always check regulations before removal.
Q&A: Answering Iowan’s Pest Questions
Q: What’s the best way to eliminate moles in my yard?
A: Moles are best controlled with trapping, but reducing excess soil moisture can help prevent new ones from moving in.
Q: Are bats dangerous to have in my house/attic?
A: While bats aren’t aggressive, they do carry rabies. The majority of human rabies cases are caused by bats. We don’t want to alarm our customers, but bats can be serious if not treated carefully and promptly. Even their droppings can pose health risks which is why it’s best to use humane exclusion methods to relocate them safely.
Q: How much is Bat removal?
A: The range depends on the pitch and size of your roofline, as well as the level of infestation. Give us a call to tell us a little bit more about what you are seeing and hearing, and to tell us about your home and we are happy to give a ballpark estimate over the phone, as well as provide free estimates in the Des Moines area with reasonable estimate rates for our more rural neighbors.
Q: My yard is full of tracks or runways; what is happening?
A: Voles create narrow, well-defined paths or “runways” across the surface of your lawn. These runways are often visible as shallow trails where the grass has been clipped short.
Q: Do you use people, pet, and planet-safe products?
A: We do our best to reduce the impact to your home, pets, and the planet. While some of our products contain poisons (i.e. grubs for moles), we do our best to
- Educate you on the situation and options
- Prevent future issues from occurring with proper exclusion techniques and
- Go over your options with you so as to do as little as necessary while also taking appropriate steps to have the greatest impact.
Let’s Make Your Home Pest-Free!
Spring pests don’t have to ruin your season. If you’ve noticed signs of moles, voles, nuisance birds, or bats, we’re here to help.
Call Bats and Bugs Pest Solutions today for a free consultation!
Serving Des Moines and surrounding areas
Fill out this form to contact us for questions and quotes
Email Us at: Corey@batsandbugspestsolutions.com
Let’s enjoy spring—without the pests.
