Identify the pests common to Des Moines and central & southeast Iowa — and get connected with Pest Control Techs LLC, a veteran-owned local provider you can count on.
Iowa's hot, humid summers and cold winters create constant seasonal pest pressure. Warm months bring wasps, mosquitoes, ants, and ticks; as temperatures drop, rodents and overwintering insects move indoors looking for shelter. Left untreated, infestations can damage your home's structure, contaminate food, trigger allergies, and spread disease. A proactive, professional approach keeps your family safe year-round.
Common Iowa Pests
The pests you're most likely to encounter in central and southeast Iowa homes.
Ants
Moderate
Carpenter, pavement, and odorous house ants invade kitchens and damage wood structures.
Active:Spring–Fall
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Spiders
Moderate
Wolf spiders and the occasional brown recluse seek shelter in basements, garages, and attics.
Active:Year-round
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Wasps & Hornets
High
Paper wasps, yellow jackets, and bald-faced hornets build aggressive nests near homes.
Active:Summer–Fall
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Mice & Rats
High
Rodents enter through dime-sized gaps, contaminate food, and chew wiring — a fire risk.
Active:Fall–Winter
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Cockroaches
High
German and American roaches thrive in warm, humid spaces and trigger asthma and allergies.
Active:Year-round
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Bed Bugs
High
Hitchhike on luggage and furniture; bites cause itching and infestations spread quickly.
Active:Year-round
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Termites
High
Subterranean termites silently destroy wood framing — a leading cause of structural damage.
Active:Spring–Summer
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Ticks
High
Carry Lyme disease and other illnesses; common in tall grass and wooded yard edges.
Active:Spring–Fall
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Mosquitoes
High
Breed in standing water; carry West Nile virus and make yards unusable in summer evenings.
Active:Summer
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Box Elder Bugs
Low
Cluster on sunny siding in fall and squeeze indoors to overwinter in walls and attics.
Active:Fall
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Stink Bugs
Low
Brown marmorated stink bugs invade homes in cool months and emit a foul odor when disturbed.
Active:Fall–Winter
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Centipedes & Silverfish
Low
Moisture-loving pests in basements and bathrooms that damage paper, books, and stored goods.
Active:Year-round
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Iowa Seasonal Pest Calendar
Know what to watch for as the seasons change.
Spring
Ants
Termites
Ticks
Wasps (early)
Summer
Mosquitoes
Wasps & Hornets
Spiders
Ants
Fall
Box Elder Bugs
Stink Bugs
Mice
Spiders
Winter
Mice & Rats
Cockroaches
Silverfish
Overwintering insects
Prevention Tips
Simple homeowner habits that reduce pest pressure between professional treatments.
Seal Entry Points
Caulk gaps around pipes, vents, and foundations. Add door sweeps and repair torn screens.
Manage Moisture
Fix leaks, run dehumidifiers in basements, and ensure gutters drain away from the foundation.
Yard Maintenance
Trim shrubs from siding, keep mulch shallow, and remove leaf piles where pests harbor.
Store Food Properly
Use sealed containers, clean crumbs daily, and take trash out frequently in tight-lidded bins.
Eliminate Standing Water
Empty birdbaths, planter saucers, and clogged gutters weekly to break the mosquito breeding cycle.
Inspect Regularly
Check basements, attics, and crawlspaces seasonally for droppings, mud tubes, or nests.
Veteran Owned & Operated
SDVOSB — Federally Registered
Pest Control Techs LLC
Our recommended local pest control provider. A Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business serving central and southeast Iowa with honest, professional service.