Spring 2025 Has Sprung: Are You Ready for Cicadas, Ticks, and Other Pests?

With the warmer and sunnier days of spring finally here, the entomology team at The National Pest Management Association is tracking the pests and interesting insects that homeowners are likely to encounter this season. From one of the largest cicada broods in decades to ticks that can trigger dangerous meat allergies, here’s what to expect – and how to protect yourself.

Cicada Brood XIV: A Once-in-17 Years Emergence

One of the most newsworthy events this spring is the emergence of Cicada Broox XIV. It’s one of the largest broods in the United States, last seen in 2008. After 17 years underground, these noisy insects are expected to emerge in late April or May as temperatures consistently hit the 70s and 80s. States likely to experience the cicada emergence include:

Georgia

Kentucky

Indiana

Massachusetts

North Carolina

New Jersey

New York

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Tennessee

Virginia

West Virginia

While cicadas pose no danger to humans, they are quite loud. The good news is, the cacophony of sounds won’t last too long. Cicadas will conclude their mating season, and their chirping, around the end of June. At that time, it’s back underground for another 17 years until 2042.

Lone Star Ticks: Expanding Their Territory and Health Concerns

The lone star tick, which gets its name from the distinctive white spot on females’ backs is considered one of the most aggressive tick species when it comes to biting people. This concerning pest continues to expand its territory from the Southeast to increasingly more areas of the Northeast and Central states.

The lone star tick can transmit several dangerous diseases including:

Tularemia
Heartland virus
Bourbon virus
Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI).
Alpha-gal Syndrome, a rare, but potentially life-threatening meat allergy

Tick on a leaf

Termites: Costly Invaders

Spring marks the start of termite season nationwide. These pests are responsible for an estimated $6.8 billion in property damage each year - costs not usually covered by homeowners’ insurance.

Be on alert for swarmers (winged, reproductive termites) and the discarded wings they leave behind, both of which are visible signs that a colony may be setting up shop nearby and could signal an active infestation.

Mosquitoes: Post-Flood Surge and Disease Risk

The recent devastating floods in the Central and Southeastern U.S. have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, which can pose serious health risks. Mosquitoes carry numerous diseases including:

Malaria
Yellow fever
Dengue
Encephalitis 
Chikungunya 
West Nile virus
Zika

Prevention is key to keeping these pests in check. Learn more about mosquito prevention methods, like eliminating standing water by keeping gutters and rainspouts clear.

Asian tiger mosquito

Rodents: A Year-Round Health Concern

Rodents spread over 35 different diseases to humans. Recent headlines have highlighted the risk of Hantavirus, which has been the cause of several high-profile deaths including that of Betsy Hackman, wife of the late actor, Gene Hackman.

Rodents are expert invaders – mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a dime. Learn more about preventing mice and rodents inside your home, including inspecting for any cracks and holes, sealing them thoroughly, and storing food in sealed, air-tight containers to prevent access.

Pest Control Tips in 2025 and Beyond

Preventing pests is essential, especially during spring cleaning. PestWorld.org offers a wealth of spring cleaning tips for keeping pests at bay. But even the best prevention can’t keep out all pests.

If you spot a pest or suspect an infestation, it’s time to contact a qualified pest control professional. They’ll do a thorough inspection to help find the root causes of the infestation and develop a targeted treatment plan. They’ll also recommend additional steps you can take to help prevent pests from returning.