The warm weather often brings unwelcome guests—pesky insects and rodents that can damper summer backyard barbecues, pool parties, and relaxation. From tiny ants marching single-file across your countertops to disease-carrying mosquitos and ticks, dealing with summer pests seems inevitable. Understanding how to identify and treat these common pests is crucial for enjoying a pest-free summer. This article explores the most common summer insects and effective pest management strategies.
1. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are notorious for their itchy bites and their role in spreading diseases like West Nile and Zika. These pests flourish in warm, humid environments and lay their eggs in still water.
Pest control and lawn care experts recommend removing standing water from your yard, including birdbaths, gutters, and flower pots—plant mosquito-repellent plants like citronella, lavender, and marigold. Annual professional maintenance is the most guaranteed option for a mosquito-free season!
2. Ants, Spiders, and Stingers
The combination of heat and readily obtainable food inside your home makes it an ideal habitat for persistent ant colonies. Ants are common household invaders during the summer, searching for food and water. They often travel in trails to and from their nests. They have the potential to contaminate food and inflict structural damage.
It's essential to maintain a clean home, particularly in the kitchen. Ensure you regularly clean your counters and floors. Also, seal all cracks or crevices to prevent ants from entering. For an effective, natural deterrent, wipe down surfaces with vinegar and water.
3. Flies
Flies are more than an annoyance; they can spread diseases by landing on food and surfaces. They are attracted to decaying organic matter. So, they are typically seen buzzing around garbage and food.
Maintaining cleanliness and taking preventive measures to keep flies away is important. Start by covering trash bins and disposing of garbage regularly to eliminate food sources for flies. Use screens on windows and doors to prevent flies from entering your home. Additionally, you can hang fly traps or make homemade traps using apple cider vinegar to attract and capture flies.
4. Rats, Mice, and Other Rodents
Left unchecked, rats, mice, and other rodents can quickly multiply and camp in sheds, garages, landscaping, and other semi-protected areas in search of food and shelter. Telltale signs of an infestation include droppings, strange odors, gnaw marks, nesting materials, and rub marks along walls.
To evict these unwanted squatters, rodent control experts offer comprehensive services. These include a thorough inspection inside and outside your home, sealing up potential entry points, setting humane traps, and applying rodenticides only when necessary.
Contact Wingate Pest & Lawn for Pest Management
It is always safest and most effective to reach out for professional pest control management. Wingate Pest & Lawn in Mid-Missouri offers comprehensive residential pest management services. Our expert team can help identify pest problems and implement effective pest management plans to keep your home and yard pest-free. Reach out to us!