Preparing for Your Easter Egg Hunt

Springtime Fun… and Springtime Pests

Easter is the holiday that marks the rebirth of the seasons. It brings so much life, warmth, and greenery to us… but, unfortunately, it also brings an increase in pest activity. As you and your family are preparing for a fun Easter weekend there are a few pests that might be waiting to cause trouble this Sunday. So, before you jump into that exciting outdoor egg hunt, you might want to briefly check and make sure these potential pest issues won’t be ruining your fun.

Watch for Wasps!

During the spring, queen wasps select a place to build a nest and begin growing their colonies. Depending on the type of wasp or bee, these colonies can soon grow to populations of several hundred to several thousand… and unfortunately, these buzzing pests are far from friendly. Paper wasps and yellow jackets are notoriously territorial and can become aggressive if you simply get close to their hive. Even relatively docile hornets and bees can attack if they think their hive is in danger.

As such, it is important to do a once over of your yard to ensure there aren’t any nests in or around the area that your kids will be hunting for Easter eggs. If you do find a nest, it’s important to avoid getting too close to these stinging creatures and call in a professional to remove the dangerous nest.

Ant Hill Horrors

People hide a variety of different versions of eggs and treats for Easter. Some hide hard boiled eggs, some hide chocolate eggs, some hide plastic eggs filled with all kinds of goodies, and others even just hide plain candy. But no matter which one your family chooses; they all share one similarity that can make them a target for pests: food. Those scrumptious chocolate eggs and candies hidden in your yard are like a beacon to our local populations of ants. When your child reaches down in excitement to collect the prize they found, the last thing you want to hear is a loud scream as they suddenly realize it, and now their hand, is covered in hungry ants.

While ants are hard to avoid completely outdoors, you can typically avoid problems like this by simply being extra careful in the placement of your Easter eggs. Briefly check the area to be sure you’re not seeing ants crawling around and that there are no visible ant hills anywhere nearby.

Avoid Actual Eggs

While birds are not technically pests (they’re wildlife) we feel it’s worth mentioning the importance of being aware of them during Easter egg hunts. At this time of year, many birds have just built their nests and laid their eggs and, in the excitement of the hunt, some particularly exuberant kids may try to reach into birdhouses or low-built nests, mistaking the real eggs as part of the game. If you notice any real nests around the “egg hunt zone” it’s important to point them out to children, explain the difference in the eggs, and help them steer clear of accidentally disrupting the nests.