Jeremy Hundley

As winter fades and temperatures begin to rise, many facility maintenance teams notice an increase in pest activity. Ants trail along baseboards, flies gather near entrances, and other crawling invaders show up seemingly overnight. While it may feel abrupt, this surge in pest pressure is a predictable seasonal shift and one that facilities can prepare for with the right approach. Understanding why pests become more active in spring and knowing what proactive steps to take can help commercial facilities stay ahead of infestations before they disrupt operations, tenants, or customers. Warmth brings activity Most insects are ectothermic, meaning their activity levels are directly tied to external temperatures. As spring arrives and the weather gets warmer, insects become more mobile, increase their foraging, and begin reproducing at higher rates. Many pests, including ants, cockroaches, and flies, have already been inside buildings throughout the winter, sheltering in wall voids, utility chases, and other protected areas. As temperatures rise, these pests disperse, seeking food, water, and new nesting sites. Spring also brings rapid population growth. Insects reproduce quickly, and warmer temperatures shorten gestation and development times. Pharaoh ants are a prime example. A colony may contain just a few queens during winter months, but once spring arrives, the number of reproductive queens can multiply rapidly. With access to food and moisture increasing across a facility, populations can grow exponentially in a matter of weeks. In addition, pests that spend the winter outdoors, such as cluster flies and stink bugs, seek new entry points, creating sudden visibility inside buildings. Winter impacts structures Winter can quietly change a building’s vulnerability to pests. Structural shifts, weather-related damage, landscaping debris, and even tenant changes can all create new opportunities for pest entry once spring arrives. In colder regions, many pest populations die off during winter, but the structure changes they leave behind—damaged seals, cracked caulking, clogged gutters—remain. In warmer climates, pest activity may never fully stop, allowing populations to build unnoticed until spring accelerates the problem. Exterior conditions often play a critical role. Leaf litter, overgrown landscaping, and untrimmed trees can allow pests to bypass pest-control treatments by providing them with direct shelter against building foundations. Gutters clogged with organic debris can attract carpenter ants and provide stagnant water for mosquitoes. Door sweeps often deteriorate over winter, creating gaps along entryways. Rooflines and upper structures deserve equal attention. Damaged soffits, missing shingles, compromised vents, and poorly sealed chimneys can all serve as entry points for insects and rodents seeking warmth and shelter. This is why winter-to-spring transitions are an ideal time for facility teams to partner with their pest control provider on a preventive inspection and exterior-focused strategy. Create a practical game plan When pest activity increases, the natural reaction is to request immediate treatment. While intervention is sometimes necessary, effective pest management starts with understanding patterns rather than reacting to individual sightings. Facility managers should review historical trends: Where have issues occurred in previous springs? Are there consistent trouble spots, such as vending machines, breakrooms, loading docks, or vestibules? Targeting these areas early through sanitation, exclusion, and monitoring can prevent the establishment of pest populations in commercial facilities. Inspecting facility exteriors for possible pest entry points is especially important in spring. Sealing doors and windows, installing or repairing screens, and keeping doors closed reduce pest entry before interior treatments are needed. Checking vestibules and double-door systems for negative air pressure will prevent flying insects from being pulled into a building through small gaps. One office building experiencing persistent stink bug activity provides a useful example. While the client initially requested pesticide applications, an inspection revealed a missing window screen in an office surrounded by trees and vegetation. Installing screens and enforcing door and window practices effectively addressed the issue, demonstrating how an integrated pest management (IPM) program prioritizes prevention and targeted solutions. Educate staff and tenants Education plays a critical role in preventing spring pests. Facility tenants and staff may not realize that behaviors and conditions tolerated during winter become pest attractants in warmer months. Food debris in break rooms, snacks stored in/on desks, unemptied trash, and unrinsed cans and bottles can quickly attract ants and fruit flies. An apple core left in a trash can over a long weekend can lead to a fruit fly outbreak by the following Friday. Coffee grounds and compost bins inside buildings can also become pest shelter sites if not properly managed. Exterior sanitation is equally important. Dumpster pads that seem inactive during winter may still contain grease and organic residue hidden by snow or ice. Once temperatures rise, these areas quickly attract flies and other pests. In one commercial grocery facility, pest control specialists traced spring maggot activity near a receiving bay to a nearby dumpster rather than an interior issue. By working closely with a professional pest control partner, facility managers can develop preventive strategies, train tenants and staff, and focus on root causes rather than short-term fixes. SPRING PEST PREVENTION CHECKLIST Exterior Maintenance • Remove leaf litter and organic debris from foundations. • Trim trees and landscaping. • Clean gutters and downspouts. • Inspect roofs, vents, soffits, and chimneys for damage. • Repair or replace door sweeps and weather seals. • Consider installing rock barriers (18–30 inches) around facilities for monitoring and exclusion. Interior Prevention • Install and repair window screens. • Keep doors closed and address negative air pressure at entrances. • Clean under vending machines and appliances. • Empty trash daily; rinse bottles and containers. • Monitor breakrooms, lockers, and storage areas. Sanitation & Education • Reinforce tenant sanitation practices. • Address dumpster cleanliness year-round. • Review historical pest trends annually. • Partner with your pest control provider on spring inspections

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Jeremy Hundley

Board-Certified Entomologist, Sprague Pest Solutions

Articles by Jeremy Hundley

Protect Your Facility From Springtime Invaders

Facility Management

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