East Texas pest control expert gives advice for fighting spring insects

EAST TEXAS (KLTV) - Even though it has been a little chilly, the warm weather will be on us soon, and that means the arrival of spring insects in abundance.

For most, it also means a continuing fight against ants, termites and mosquitoes. April usually brings in the warm temperatures and pollinating insects we’re familiar with.

“93 percent of all insects are either beneficial to people or inert,” said Horticulturist Stephen Chamblee of the Longview arboretum.

Of course, there are still ones we don’t really want around us. “Mosquitoes, cockroaches, ants, termites, things like that,” Chamblee listed.

“Termites are a little different. There’s not a lot you can do unless you’ve had a preventative treatment,” said exterminator Jared Lundmark.

But, a blanket approach to spraying pesticides can be damaging.

“Definitely want to be careful with your honey bees, your butterflies, your pollinators. Definitely don’t recommend doing it yourself because you don’t want to risk getting chemical in areas you don’t want to get chemical,” Lundmark said.

Some claim there are natural repellents out there, like garlic plants and citronella which ward off mosquitoes. The professionals said these may not give the results you would hope for.

“I hear a lot of, ‘Just plant garlic; it will repel everything,’ or ‘Plant marigolds; it will repel.’ I’ve just found that to be completely untrue,” Chamblee said.

Chamblee said it’s the oil from the plants mentioned that makes good repellent. “Garlic oil, a concentrated spray. I’ve used it a number of times and by gosh it does work,” he said.

Your best chance is just preventative measures: putting granules out for ants or spray-on repellent.

“Keeping stagnant water away from your house, keeping your yard trimmed,” Lundmark said.

“Sometimes we forget that we are living in their world. They’re not invading our world,” said Chamblee.

Lundmark said if you have an insect infestation, it’s best to call in a professional exterminator to address the problem.

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