Nasty pests may infest SC homes more than normal in spring 2026. Here’s why, what to expect

The National Pest Management Association has a Bug Barometer that predicts how many and when pests will come out to play this spring.

Let’s just say it looks pretty good for the pests.

“The Bug Barometer® analyzes weather patterns, long-term forecasts and pest biology to deliver regional predictions for pest activity nationwide,” the association said in a news release. “The experts say that while this winter’s polar vortex and heavy snowfall felt brutal to humans, that snow insulates the ground, creating a protective blanket that helped pests survive beneath the surface.”

“This winter was about as extreme as it gets, and those conditions can create a domino effect that impacts pest activity well into spring and summer,” said Dr. Jim Fredericks, senior vice president of public affairs at NPMA. “This is our way of visualizing the science and giving homeowners a head start on preparing.”

Here’s what the Bug Barometer says about the Southeast, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

More pests for SC and Southeast

Look for more termites, mosquitoes and ants than usual if predictions hold and the region gets warm, wet spring.

Summer? Well, that will likely bring more flies and cockroaches and if tropical storms arrive that will mean standing water will attract mosquitoes. More than usual.

Could be worse, you could live in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C. or Virginia and be faced with and increase in termites, brown marmorated stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, ticks and stinging insects.

Or how about scorpions and spiders in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Nevada and California. Yellowjackets and wasps in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana and Wyoming.

The Bug Baromoter says the r-word for Idaho, Washington and Oregon — rodents, who just want some water as well as ants, stinging insects, cockroaches, mosquitoes and flies.

Tips for dealing with insects

But all is not lost. Here’s what they say about how to keep these critters away from your home and yard.

• Seal entry points with caulk or weatherstripping. That includes gaps around windows, doors, utility pipes and foundations. 
• Eliminate standing water: Here’s a fun fact — mosquitoes need only a bottle cap of water to breed. 
• Keep grass trimmed, shrubs pruned and remove leaf litter and debris where pests can hide.
• Store food in airtight containers.
• Repair leaky pipes and clogged drains.

“The most effective pest management strategy is a proactive one,” Fredericks said. “Don’t wait until you see pests to take action.”

The association, of course, recommends hiring a professional and here’s their approved list https://www.pestworld.org.

This story was originally published March 2, 2026 at 6:00 AM.