Summer Bugs: The Buzz on Summer Pest Problems

School’s out, baseball season is in full swing, and the days are getting longer. It’s summer! Time to enjoy the outdoors and make vacation memories.

Unfortunately, summertime is also high season for bugs and insects. Many hibernate during the colder months, then return in full-force when the weather warms up. Others hang around all year but become more active during the summer.

Don’t let creepy crawlers cramp your style! Here are some of the most common pests this time of year. To protect your home and your family, follow our best home pest control methods for keeping bugs away.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are a nuisance, but they can also pose a risk to your health. They can transmit a variety of diseases such as West Nile virus, Zika virus and dengue fever.

Dawn and dusk are their prime dining hours, so avoid being outside during that time if possible. When you do go out, wear clothing that covers your legs and arms, and apply insect repellent. The most important step for mosquito pest control: eliminate any standing or stagnant water around your home. Drain areas where rain or water pools. If there’s standing water around your property, there’s a good chance that mosquitoes have laid eggs there. Remember, it takes only a thimbleful to create a tempting mosquito breeding ground.

Ants

Ants love summer parties! They tend to turn up uninvited at picnics and pool parties – anytime food is served. In their relentless pursuit of food and water, which can be scarce during dry summers, ants will invade your home.Your best pest defense for ants: keep your home as clean as possible. Even the tiniest crumbs can lure them. Avoid leaving food and water bowls for pets outdoors. They’re an invitation for ants to move closer to your home.

Some ants are worse than others. When disturbed, fire ants become aggressive and inflict painful stings. Carpenter ants like wood – including the wood inside your house – and can damage your home’s structure. To keep ants out, trim trees and shrubs away from your exterior walls and foundation. Caulk cracks and small holes to seal potential pathways inside.

Stinging insects

Stinging summer insects like bees, yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, and others, can leave painful and swollen welts on victims. For those who are allergic, stings can even trigger severe reactions. (If you do experience a severe reaction – especially if you notice swelling in your face, tongue or throat – seek immediate medical attention.)

To prevent stings, wear shoes outdoors, especially in grassy areas. Cover patches of dirt with new grass, to discourage yellow jackets and other ground-nesting pests. Keep trash cans tightly covered. If a stinging insect hovers near you, try not to swat it. Sudden movements may cause it to become aggressive. Stay as calm and still as you can. Avoid wearing sweet-smelling perfumes, which attract bees and other stinging insects.

Fleas

By early summer, if your pets play outdoors and haven’t been treated – you may notice them scratching and biting. With flea season, prevention is critical! Block an indoor infestation by treating pets; flea collars, topicals, and chewable medications can help easily provide protection for your furry friends . Once fleas get into your home, it’s difficult to get rid of them.

Ticks

Ticks are a year-round threat, but likely to be more abundant in warm weather. Plus, people are outdoors more often. Tick bites can infect you with Lyme disease and cause other problems.

Take preventative measures whenever you’re in wooded areas, tall grass or weeds.  Cover up your arms and legs.  Wear closed-toe shoes. Use a pest repellent containing DEET. When you’re out hiking, stay in the center of trails and away from dense vegetation. Before you go indoors, check your clothes, hair and skin for ticks. Carefully remove any ticks you find.

Flies

Your first meal on the patio may remind you that the flies are back, and they can head indoors to escape the heat. Keep screens hole-free and snug fitting to help keep them out. Repair or replace any torn screens.

Scorpions

Scorpions can pose a problem for residents in the southwestern United States. During the summer, scorpions start invading homes, crawling into dark places like garages, cabinets, and closets to escape the heat. Only one species, the Arizona bark scorpion, has venom deadly enough to kill a human, but any scorpion’s sting is quite painful, so take steps to avoid these creepy critters. Inspect enclosed areas like closets carefully before reaching inside and shoes before putting them on.

Termites

While you’re enjoying summer, the queen of a termite colony is laying up to 30,000 eggs a day. If you spot a termite in your home or yard, don’t wait to tackle this one. Once termites find a food source (such as a wood) and establish a colony, they can do serious damage. Get professional advice immediately if you suspect you have termites. HomeTeam can assist with effective treatments for termite control.

Whether you’re worried about termites, or any other summer pest problem in your home or yard, HomeTeam Pest Defense is always here to help! Call 855-855-4873 to schedule an appointment or request a quote now so you can help protect your family today.