How Maine's Wet Spring Is Fueling A Surge In Pests This Summer
Central and coastal Maine have seen an unusually wet start to 2025, and while that’s great news for greening lawns and recharging water tables, it also means a tougher season ahead for pest problems. As temperatures rise, all that moisture sets the stage for a surge in mosquitoes, ticks, ants, and other pests. Here's what homeowners should expect this spring and summer—and how to prepare.
Mosquitoes: coming soon to a backyard near you
With higher-than-normal rainfall across much of Maine this spring, the mosquito outlook is buzzing. Water left behind in puddles, ditches, gutters, and containers creates ideal mosquito breeding grounds. The National Pest Management Association's 2025 Bug Barometer predicts increased mosquito activity in the Northeast due to these wet conditions. Residents should be vigilant, as mosquitoes are a nuisance and potential carriers of diseases like West Nile virus.
Even a small amount of stagnant water can support hundreds of larvae, so it's important to stay vigilant. Besides being annoying, mosquitoes can carry diseases like West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), which have both been detected in the state in past years.
Ticks: more moisture, more activity
Unfortunately, Maine saw a record-breaking number of tick-borne disease cases in 2024, with 3,218 reported cases of Lyme disease. Experts attribute this surge to milder winters and increased humidity, allowing ticks to remain active for longer. The midcoast region, including Lincoln County, has become a hotspot for tick activity.
Wet weather means more than just mosquitoes and ticks
Heavy spring rains across central and coastal Maine can trigger a surge in ant activity, especially indoors. When the ground becomes saturated, ant colonies can flood, driving ants to seek higher, drier shelter inside homes. Carpenter ants, in particular, thrive in Maine’s older, wood-framed houses, where moisture softens structural wood and creates prime nesting conditions. Odorous house ants are also quick to invade kitchens, basements, and wall voids after storms. But the wet spring doesn’t just cause a short-term invasion—it helps ant colonies grow by providing damp soil for easier tunneling and more food sources outdoors. As colonies expand, they send out more foraging scouts, increasing the likelihood of summer infestations in and around homes.
Protect your home and loved ones from pests this spring
Seal up your home to prevent pests from entering through cracks, gaps, and other openings.
Regularly empty containers, wheelbarrows, and other items that collect water, and unclog gutters to discourage mosquito breeding.
Keep your grass cut and yard debris picked up to eliminate potential hiding spots.
Apply an EPA-approved insect repellent when outdoors.
Wear long sleeves and pants when spending time outside to reduce skin exposure to ticks and mosquitoes.
After outdoor activities, thoroughly check yourself, children, and pets for ticks.
How Advanced Pest Solutions Can Help You Stay Ahead Of The Pests
With pest activity already ramping up this spring, now is the time to get ahead of the summer surge. Advanced Pest Solutions offers residents in Litchfield, Boothbay Harbor, Purgatory, and throughout our service area targeted home pest control services designed to keep ants out before colonies grow out of control. Whether you’re dealing with carpenter ants in aging woodwork or nuisance ants invading your kitchen, our team knows exactly where to look and how to treat the problem at its source.
We also offer professional mosquito and tick control, including monthly yard treatments from April through September. Our experts will drastically reduce mosquito and tick populations so you can enjoy your yard this summer!
Advanced Pest Solutions has the tools and experience to protect your property from pests this spring and all year. Contact us today to learn more!