Controlling Ants, Termites, Mosquitoes, Ticks, & Flies
The hot weather in the summer tends to bring people out of their homes and into the great outdoors. It also brings out pests, many which invade yards and homes in search of food and shelter.
Ants, termites, mosquitoes, ticks, and flies can all invade your space, interrupting social activities, eating food, and causing damage. You need to act quickly to get these pests under control. Here are some tips for surviving the summer with pests in abundance. As a last resort, get professional pest control from a reputable company such as Environmental Pest Control.
Ants in the Summer
Ant control can be difficult, especially when temperatures start heating up. Ants seek refuge in cool environments. The most common ants you’ll notice during the summer include carpenter ants, odorous house ants, little black ants, pavement ants, and fire ants. While all ants are annoying, fire ants can cause painful stings and allergic reactions.
Once ants enter your home, getting rid of them can be extremely difficult. Your best course of action is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. You can do this by keeping your home clean. Clean up food crumbs and spills promptly. Ants love basements, kitchen, and bathrooms, so eliminate moisture. Clean up after your pets and take out the garbage daily. Keep food in sealed containers. You should also inspect the exterior of your home and look for cracks and gaps in which ants can enter your home. Use caulk to seal up any entry points to keep ants out.
Termites in the Summer
Termites are one pest you never want in your home. They can cause a significant amount of damage in just a short amount of time. Termites cause $5 billion in damage each year, with a whopping 600,000 homes affected annually. There are 45 species of these wood-chewing pests. These insects are most active when the weather heats up, so by summer, they are in full swing. That’s because high humidity levels cause termite colonies to grow rapidly. Like with ants, the best thing to do is keep termites out of home altogether.
Get inspections every winter. If there are signs of infestation, get treatment quickly. Once termites have infested your home, it will be impossible to get rid of them on your own. A professional pest control company will be able to offer effective treatments, such as fumigation and heating of the entire house. These treatments will eradicate almost all the termites in your home.
Mosquitoes in the Summer
Mosquitoes have the distinction of being known as the most annoying creature. These insects buzz around, sucking blood and causing itchy bites. They can also spread diseases, causing serious illnesses and even death. Malaria, West Nile virus, Zika virus, yellow fever, and dengue are some of the deadly diseases that mosquitoes carry.
Mosquitoes thrive in hot weather, so the season peaks in the summer. You need to take the appropriate steps to keep mosquitoes away. Get rid of any standing water. Trim grass, bushes, plants, and trees to eliminate places for these pests to hide. Instead of opening doors and windows, put screens on them to keep mosquitoes and other bugs out of your home. Assess the exterior of your home and look for any cracks in the siding or foundation. Seal them up to prevent mosquito entry. When outdoors, use repellents on exposed skin to prevent bites. In fact, stay indoors at peak times, which include dusk and dawn.
Ticks in the Summer
Ticks are annoying, blood-sucking creatures that come out in the summer. They peak from late May until July. In the past, ticks were mainly confined to rural areas. However, tick season has worsened and these pests are now making their way into cities. Ticks can cause serious diseases. While Lyme disease has been the most severe threat in the past, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is also high on the list. Ticks can latch onto humans and pets. If one is attached to you, use tweezers to remove it. If you cannot remove the tick, develop a rash, or feel like you have the flu, seek emergency treatment. You can reduce the risk of contact with a tick by doing the following:
- Stay away from grassy, brushy areas.
- Walk in the center of trails, since ticks can’t jump or fly.
- Use insect repellent when you go outside.
- After being outdoors, check your body and clothing for ticks.
Flies in the Summer
Flies are also annoying pests. These insects climb all over food, which can make your outdoor party suddenly feel unsanitary. That’s because flies are drawn not only to food, but also animal waste, compost piles, and grass clippings.
Flies are primarily nuisances but they are also disgusting creatures that can contaminate food and spread diseases. For example, house flies can spread food poisoning and dysentery. Some flies can even bite humans.
The habits of flies make them unsanitary. They often feed and lay eggs on garbage and manure. They then land on human foods and contaminate them by regurgitating their stomach contents onto food or by defecating on it.
You can prevent fly-related issues by doing the following:
- Properly sanitizing your home. Keep your house clean and free of organic matter. Clean up spills and crumbs immediately. Dispose of garbage daily and make sure to clean pet food bowls after each meal.
- Using plastic containers to store food. Do not leave food out in the open. Even fruits and vegetables should be stored in sealed plastic containers to prevent flies from infesting them.
- Placing screens on doors and windows. You may want to open doors and windows to allow fresh air into the home. However, you should install screens on all doors and windows to prevent flies from entering your home.
Contact Us Today
Summertime should be spent enjoying barbecues, pool parties, and outdoor activities. You should not have to worry about pests.
Environmental Pest Control can help you eradicate pests so you can enjoy your yard once again. Whatever your pest problem, our experienced team will fix it quickly and professionally. Call (540) 441-7397 for a free estimate. We serve the Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia areas.
