A multitude of bugs is causing widespread problems in the Ozarks.
If you've noticed an abnormally large number of roaches, ants, mosquitoes, and beetles, that's because there are!
You can blame it on the heat, or more likely, the water.
Not only will you find an obscene amount of bugs on your trees, plants, and bushes, you'll probably find them inside your house.
We consulted a removal expert to find out which pests are most prevalent.
"For the most part, i try to kill them, but the spider thing... I don't really do spiders too good."
Ironically, Anthony Pastor and 3-year-old Nicholas are safer from the eight-legged creatures outside than in, because this summer pests have become an unwelcome addition to the Pastor household.
But father and son have an ally in the war against Mother Nature's tiniest army: Tim Fain- licensed to kill on behalf of Springfield residents.
“Ants are really bad this year, so are fleas and ticks, and then mosquitoes because of standing water,” Fain explained.
And water is the reason Tim says the bugs are so bad this summer.
So bad, his call volume has doubled.
“We're usually between 8 and 9 calls, but this year it's 10 to 12 to 14 a day."
While the problem is predominantly inside; it begins outside.
If you've got pests odds are you've got them under ledges- cool, dark places they can make their home before they penetrate your home.
“Most of your ants come up here around the cracks and then they get up in here and find holes to the plumbing,” says Fain.
Japanese beetles, oriental beetles or water bugs, and wasps have joined the invasion.
Anthony and Nicholas are unarmed, but Tim's got the bug version of the atomic bomb.
Tim says you can always try buying your own bug killer first, but he says the chemicals he puts down are residual.
If critters crawl through the stuff three months after it's been sprayed, it will still kill.
And the chemicals are safe enough that you don't have to leave your home when they're applied.