Why Pests Start Showing Up in Iowa Homes in Early Spring

If you live in Lake View or anywhere across Sac, Calhoun, or Carroll County, you’ve probably noticed it. The snow starts melting. The sun stays out a little longer. The ground gets soft. And suddenly… there are ants in the kitchen. Spiders in the basement. Bugs you haven’t seen in months. So what’s going on? Let’s break down why early spring in Northwest Iowa is prime time for pests to start moving indoors.

1. Iowa’s Freeze–Thaw Cycle Pushes Pests Inside

Winter doesn’t kill most pests — it just slows them down. Many insects spend the winter hiding in:

• Wall voids

• Basements

• Crawl spaces

• Under concrete slabs

• Around foundations

When temperatures start bouncing between freezing nights and warmer days (very normal for Iowa in March and April), pests become active again.

They start looking for:

• Food

• Water

• Warmer shelter

• Entry points into living spaces

That’s when homeowners begin seeing ants, spiders, and occasional invaders indoors.

2. Melting Snow Creates Moisture Problems

Early spring in Iowa means melting snow, saturated soil, and damp foundations. Moisture attracts pests.

Basements in particular become a hotspot because:

• They’re cooler

• They’re darker

• They often have higher humidity

• Small foundation cracks allow entry

Common early spring basement invaders in Northwest Iowa include:

• Spiders

• Centipedes

• Pill bugs

• Occasional ants

If your basement feels damp, pests will notice before you do.

3. Ant Colonies Start Expanding

Ant activity often ramps up before people expect it. As soil temperatures warm, colonies begin expanding. Worker ants start scouting for food sources — and your kitchen is a goldmine.

In Sac County, Calhoun County, and Carroll County homes, we typically see:

• Small black ants in kitchens

• Ant trails near windows

• Activity around foundations

Once ants establish a food source inside, the problem grows quickly. Early treatment is much easier (and less expensive) than waiting until it becomes a full infestation.

4. Spiders Follow Their Food

If you’re seeing more spiders, it usually means one thing: There are other insects around. Spiders become more visible in early spring because their prey is becoming active. Basements, garages, and corners of rooms are common places homeowners notice them first. While most spiders in Iowa are harmless, they’re not something most families want inside their homes.

5. Early Prevention Saves You Headaches Later

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting until summer to think about pest control. By the time you’re consistently seeing bugs, colonies are already established.

Early spring perimeter treatments help:

• Stop ants before they get inside

• Reduce spider populations

• Seal off entry points

• Control moisture-related pest activity

Preventative service now makes the rest of the year easier.

Protecting Homes in Lake View and Across Northwest Iowa

At Evicted Pest Control, we specialize in protecting residential and commercial properties throughout:

• Lake View

• Sac County

• Calhoun County

• Carroll County

If you’re starting to notice early spring pest activity, now is the time to act — not after it spreads. Call Evicted Pest Control today for a spring inspection and keep your home pest-free before the busy season hits.