Unwelcome Summer Visitors: Pests and How to Prevent Them

As the days get longer and it gets hotter, we all get excited for summer fun like barbecues, swimming, and picnics. But it’s not just people who like the warm weather; lots of annoying bugs come out too. Some of these bugs can cause problems for our health, comfort, or even our homes. In this article, we’ll talk about some common summer bugs and effective prevention strategies for common summer pests.

Ants

Ants are a common problem in summer. They like sweet things and proteins, so they often come into homes looking for food. A mere amount of dropped food can quickly increase into a large-scale ant infestation.

Ants work with remarkable coordination, finding food and telling other ants where it is. Once an ant discovers a food source, it leaves a chemical trail for other ants from the same colony to follow. This “trail of breadcrumbs” can lead straight into your home, turning a single ant into an invading army.

Prevention: Keep your house clean, especially the kitchen and dining areas. Regularly sweep and mop your floors to ensure no food particles are left behind. Seal all possible entrances such as cracks, windows, and doors. Store your food in airtight containers and ensure your garbage bins are sealed.

Mosquitoes

The incessant hum of mosquitoes can indeed mar an otherwise perfect summer evening. Beyond causing itchiness, mosquitoes also pose a serious health risk as carriers of diseases.

The diseases transmitted by mosquitoes can make people very sick. In addition, they are known to breed rapidly in stagnant water, which often becomes more common during summer due to the increased rainfall and humidity. This makes proactive mosquito control measures especially crucial during this season.

Prevention: Remove any standing water from your property as mosquitoes use it to lay their eggs. This includes birdbaths, kiddie pools, and rain gutters. Use mosquito repellents, citronella candles, or mosquito nets, especially during the peak biting hours of dusk and dawn.

Wasps

Wasps can be a big problem in summer. They can be very aggressive and their stings are painful. Wasp stings are not only painful but also potentially dangerous for people with allergies.

Prevention: Regularly inspect your property for wasp nests, especially in places like eaves, attics, and under decks. If you find one, call a bug expert to take care of it. Avoid wearing strong perfumes and keep food and drinks covered when outside.

Flies

Flies can be really annoying in summer. They multiply quickly in the heat, and some flies can spread diseases. While they can be bothersome due to their constant buzzing and tendency to land on food, certain types, such as the housefly, are also carriers of various diseases.

Houseflies can pick up and transfer disease organisms from one surface to another, including food or areas where food is prepared. They can also cause food poisoning by carrying harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli.

Another common summer pest is the fruit fly. They’re drawn to ripe fruits and vegetables and fermenting products. Although not disease carriers like houseflies, their rapid reproduction can lead to a serious infestation in a short time, making them a notable annoyance.

Prevention: Keep doors and windows closed or screened to prevent flies from entering your home. Regularly remove garbage and keep all food covered or stored.

Bed Bugs

While bed bugs aren’t exclusively active during the summer, they tend to become more noticeable in these months. This is often a result of increased travel activity as families vacation or students move to and from school. Bed bugs are known  hitchhikers, effortlessly attaching themselves to luggage, clothing, and other personal belongings. They can be picked up from infested hotel rooms, hostels, or any public place where these pests have established a presence.

Prevention: Effective prevention strategies for bed bugs, is be careful when staying in hotels or using second-hand furniture. Check for signs of bed bugs such as small dark spots or live insects. If you suspect an infestation, call a professional pest control service immediately.