What is an example of an occasional pest?

Ants are classified as occasional pests because their presence is not constant or predictable. Unlike structural pests, such as termites, which tend to infest homes and buildings regularly, or weeds, which can be persistent and invasive, ants typically only appear in small groups or during certain seasons. They may invade homes seeking food or water, but this does not occur throughout the entire year or as a significant, recurring problem in most environments.

In contrast, termites are considered a structural pest since they can cause continuous damage to wooden structures if left unchecked. Weeds, on the other hand, often compete with crops or desirable plants and can be a persistent issue in gardens and agricultural areas. Carpenter bees, while problematic due to their wood-boring behavior, are also more likely to exhibit consistent seasonal activity compared to ants, which sporadically appear based on available food sources. Thus, ants exemplify occasional pests effectively due to their variability and transient nature in their interactions with human environments.