If you haven’t guessed from the sight of sunburned shoulders and the sounds of kids enjoying temporary freedom from school, summer is officially in full swing. And while that means splashing in the pool, grilling in the back yard, and celebrating with fireworks, it also often means it is time for common summer pests to pay a visit to your home.
Being vigilant with preventative pest control and observing any potentially harmful insect populations in and around your home can be essential to reducing the likelihood of full-blown infestation. Are you wondering which creepy crawlies you should be looking for during this summer season?
At ABC Pest Control, we are proud to offer numerous solutions for getting rid of pesky insects year-round. Here is a list of five common summer pests we warn our customers to watch for during the hottest months of the year.
1. Fire Ants
After ants are finished hibernating through the winter, you will notice an influx in the ant population as soon as the weather turns warm. Ants are always on the hunt for food to feed their growing colonies, so it is important to keep your house clean and crumb free. Fire ants specifically will sting you if provoked, so it is best to avoid them as much as possible. They live outdoors in large nests that look like piles of sand, but they aren’t afraid to venture inside your home for food. Be careful not to leave out pet food that might attract them inside. If you find that the fire ant problem in your yard is becoming unmanageable, or that the ants are starting to nest within your home, call a professional exterminator.
2. Mosquitoes
These sneaky bloodsuckers breed and thrive during the summer. Mosquitos lay their eggs on the surface of standing water, which can be found in swimming pools, ponds, fountains, bird baths, and gutters around your house. They can carry a wide variety of deadly diseases, which turns their bites from itchy and annoying to downright dangerous. Eliminating unnecessary water sources, using fans, and wearing bug spray can help you to keep them away from your exposed skin.
3. Fleas
Fleas start popping up in outdoor spaces, but thanks to our furry friends, they don’t stay outside for long. The best thing to do is give your pets preventative treatment before the fleas start to feast. If your pets have not been treated and you notice your dogs or cats biting and scratching, treat them for fleas right away to prevent an infestation inside your home. If the fleas do make their way indoors, call for pest control treatment. Otherwise, you might be the fleas’ next meal!
4. Termites
Although termites tend to swarm in the spring, they multiply during the summer. The queen will lay up to 30,000 eggs per day as she attempts to grow her colony. If you see even a few termites, have your home treated right away to stop them from growing in numbers and causing extensive damage.
5. Grasshoppers
Grasshoppers are known for chewing through crops and plants, and they are a particular nuisance during the summer time. If you have farm land or even simply a small garden, grasshoppers can quickly do devastating damage to your plants. Even for homes without much greenery, grasshoppers can be a pain because they have the ability to chew through screen doors. If you think grasshoppers are becoming problematic in your yard, it is better to strike early with pest control than wait until they have chewed through your outdoor and indoor spaces.
If you notice any of these five common summer pests popping up more frequently around your living space, don’t wait for them to damage your property. We offer plenty of pest control solutions for every household.
For pest infestations in your home, count on ABC Home & Commercial Services. We have your summer pest solutions.