As temperatures continue to rise, anyone with a home in Alabama knows that the warmer weather seems to bring out the bugs.

Most pests begin to appear in the home without warning. According to Ping Hu, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Entomology specialist and assistant professor at Auburn University, common invaders of the home during the spring weather can include multicolored Asian lady beetles, ants, flies, bees, cockroaches, bed bugs and stored-product pests, such as flour beetles, saw tooth grain beetles and Indian meal moths.

The best line of attack against such pests is to be aware of the various places around the home they would most likely appear. Asian lady beetles accumulate on ceilings or the insides of corners while cockroaches and ants enter homes through holes, cracks, crevices or even through utility pipes. Cluster flies always stay together and can be troublesome when they begin to look for openings in windowsills, wall voids and attics as they prepare to breed and lay eggs. Most bees will appear in large numbers nesting in wood, such places might include fences, roof hangers, and window and door frames.

Ping advices homeowners to inspect the environment close to and all around their home. Cutting trees back, keeping organic mulch away from walls and foundations around the home and removing debris from the perimeter of the home will help prevent the harboring of pests. If the pests are inside the home, sealing, caulking, vacuuming or using sticky traps will usually work best at the first sign of a problem. However, if the problem persists or gets worse homeowners can call Extension agents who can provide useful suggestions and information on how to handle the growing nuisance.

Contact your county Extension office for more information on bugs.