5 Pests That Thrive in the Summer

The warm weather is rolling in, which means summertime is on the horizon. As we gear up for barbeques, days at the pool, fireworks, and some tasty summer treats, there’s one thing we should also be aware of - pests.

As a homeowner, the last thing you want for your family is to have wasps, mosquitoes, ticks, and other stinging insects taking over your family picnics or backyard barbeques. But what’s worse is if these pests invade your home, ruining your safe place and potentially harming your loved ones.

And let’s say a fairly harmless pest enters your home this summer. Even though they aren’t dangerous, no one wants to deal with bugs in their home.

While most pests peak during the summer, there are a few that you really need to watch out for in and around your home. Let’s take a look at which pests those are and how you can keep them at a minimum this summer.

Pests That Thrive in the Summer

1. Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are probably one of the most annoying pests that thrive in the summer, especially if you’re the type of person mosquitoes tend to land on the most. Not only do they constantly buzz around and look a bit creepy, they also leave painful, itchy bites that can last for days. On top of that, mosquitoes are famous for carrying deadly diseases, including the West Nile disease, the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States. 

The good news is that there are ways to repel mosquitoes so you can enjoy your summer without constantly being bitten and left itchy. First, always wear insect repellent if you plan on being outdoors during the mosquitoes’ most active times.  You may also want to consider wearing long sleeves and long pants.

To limit mosquitoes around your home, it’s critical to eliminate standing water in your yard. This is where they lay their eggs, so doing this will limit their population significantly. You may also want to consider planting insect-repellent plants. The following insect-repellent plants can reduce the number of mosquitoes (along with their bites):

1. Citronella

2. Catnip

3. Lavender

4. Basil

5. Marigolds

6. Peppermint

7. Rosemary

2. Wasps

We’re all aware of how fierce of a predator wasps are and how quickly they can ruin an outdoor gathering. These stinging/flying insects tend to build their nests in areas that children like to play, including playhouses and swing sets. When one of your kids gets stung by a wasp as they’re playing outside, it can be a scary situation. No one wants wasps buzzing around their yard or home.

For temporary protection, you can buy an insect repellent at your local grocery store and plant lemongrass, mint, or eucalyptus to naturally repel wasps. There are also wasp traps available to help reduce the number of wasps around your yard, although they aren’t 100% effective since they only catch a handful of wasps at one time. If you choose to spray wasp killer, make sure to do it early in the morning or late in the evening when they are less active. Keep in mind that these store bought chemicals are dangerous if your children accidentally touches or ingests them 

3. House flies

While house flies aren’t harmful or dangerous like mosquitoes and wasps, they’re quite the nuisance if they find their way inside your home, especially since they reproduce quickly. Flies are attracted to sugary foods and drinks. In the summertime, we all enjoy eating popsicles and rootbeer floats on a hot day. So it’s important to clean up after making these sweet treats to limit the fly population in your home.

It’s also important to eliminate smells that will attract flies, so make sure to take out the garbage, clean up any animal feces, and put away food that has been sitting out. You may also want to bust out the fly swatter to get rid of these annoying pests.

If the fly problem persists or if you’re noticing larvae in your home, it’s time to take greater action by calling a pest control expert who can get rid of the infestation once and for all.

4. Ants

If you see one ant in or around your home, there are most likely hundreds or thousands nearby. Unfortunately, these pests can end up everywhere in your home, especially in the summer. As forgers, ants will venture away from their colonies during the warmer weather in search of food and water. The best way  to prevent ants from becoming an infestation is to keep a clean home. Regularly clean the countertops with soap and warm water, clean up sugary or greasy spills as soon as possible, and clean up any food in small cracks or crevices. Since they’re also after water, make sure to keep your kitchen and bathroom free of any standing water.

Like the other pests on this list a professional pest control company is the best way to solve your ant problem.

5. Ticks

Ticks are known as the summertime villains. As a dangerous species of stinging and biting insects, they carry harmful diseases, including Lyme disease. Although tick bites are not usually painful, they can leave tiny red marks on arms, legs, or less visible areas. Most of the time, a person won’t notice they’ve been bitten.

Ticks most often live near forests or heavily-wooded areas that people tend to hike in camp. These locations have lots of plants and tall grass on which the ticks can wait for a host. Some species require moisture to live while others simply need animals to feed on. When walking through these wooded areas, make sure to wear long sleeves and pants.

To protect your family and home from ticks, make sure to call Aptive Environmental pest control. 

Protect Your Home and Yard From Pests This Summer

Turn your home and yard into a space you can enjoy with the help of Aptive Environmental. We have locations throughout the United States and are dedicated to protecting your home from pests.

Aptive’s professional pest control treatments attack infestations and get rid of insects by targeting the source of the problem. This significantly reduces the chances of reinfestation. Plus, our service ensures that we will come back if the pests return.

Find a provider today. Contact Aptive Environmental today to receive a quote for pest control services.