With the arrival of summer, the shedding of light, activities in the sun, and sadly, the inconvenience of irritating, awkward guests are on the rise. Unwanted insects and rodents such as mosquitoes, ants, and flies thrive in hot weather conditions and increase in number, making them the most frequent nuisances to homeowners. However, there is no need to panic; with the correct methods, you can have an insect-free home and garden in the summer months.  This guide lists summer pests to watch out for & how to stop them.

Summer Pests to Watch Out For & How to Stop Them

Mosquitoes

For many people, summer is the season for mosquitoes. The buzzing of these tiny pests is not just irritating; they can also be dangerous as they harbor diseases such as West Nile virus and dengue fever. Mosquitoes’ development depends on stagnant water and humid environments; thus, they feed on human blood quickly and multiply incredibly. As a result, outdoor activities can soon become a battle against these little devils, making them a bane of summer.

To deter mosquitoes, it is recommended that any containers holding still water in your garden, such as buckets, bird baths, or old tires, be emptied. You should also use DEET-containing mosquito repellents for outdoor activities and install insect screens on the windows and doors of your house to keep them outside. Natural deterrents against mosquitoes, like citronella or lavender, can also be planted in your garden.

Ants

When the temperature rises, ants tend to reappear. They are inevitably searching for food almost anywhere, including your kitchen and picnic spreads, which are two of the most vulnerable targets. As soon as they get the food source, they will make a trail of ants leading to it.

The kitchen must kept clean to ward off invading ants, and food should stored in airtight containers. Putting vinegar or lemon on the kitchen counter surfaces that ants visit is an efficient way to repel them because ants do not like the acidity. For exterior ants, find their nests and sprinkle diatomaceous earth, a natural and effective repellent.

Flies

We all know how terrible it can be when flies interrupt our summer barbecues, buzzing loudly and infecting our food with bacteria. How flies breed in garbage, decaying matter, and animal waste brings hygiene into play when it comes to tackling them.

So, you must dispose of rubbish carefully and keep your rubbish bins correctly closed. You can also use fly traps or sticky strips, which are the most efficient and successful ways to catch them. Furthermore, the basil plant can be place near the windows and doors and does the trick of repelling flies due to its high aromatic strength.

Wasps

Though wasps significantly regulate other pests, they tend to display aggressive characteristics when they feel threatened. Because their nests tend to be build under eaves, in trees, or on garden furniture, wasps can quickly become a nuisance, especially to people allergic to their stings.

If you detect a wasp nest early, bring it down using a long pole or a hose (or, if it’s sizable, seek professional help). Put those wasp traps out to reduce their numbers, and avoid sweet beverages or food left out in the open since they are very alluring to them.

Cockroaches

The optimal conditions for cockroaches are warm, dark, and humid environments that make summers particularly advantageous, as they can find their way into basements and kitchens as an easy shelter. Not only do they pose a hygiene concern, but they are also capable of transmitting bacteria and exacerbating asthma and allergy symptoms.

You can stop cockroaches from coming inside by sealing holes and fissures in your home’s structure. Also, humidity levels can be lowered by repairing leaks or employing a dehumidifier. Catching the cockroaches with a trap or poison will help in getting rid of any current infestations that are taking place, while cleaning up the disarray in your kitchen would cut down on their food supply.

Ticks

In summer, ticks are active, roaming through tall grass, wooded areas, and even your backyards. They are tiny parasites that can attach to animals (including humans) to feed on their blood and possibly result in the transmission of diseases like Lyme disease.

To minimize your chance of being bitten, you can mow your lawn frequently and keep it free of leaf litter. You can also help reduce tick exposure by wearing long-sleeved clothing and using tick repellent sprays outdoors. Checking yourself for ticks and removing them thoroughly after an outdoor activity is also essential, since it may help catch them early on.

Spiders

Though most spiders cannot harm, their spider cages and rapid passages can be disturbing and irritating. Nonetheless, some, like the black widow and the brown recluse, are poisonous, and if you are bitten, there will be health hazards.

Prevent spider entry by eliminating mess in your home, regularly cleaning corners where webs commonly occur, and plugging up the gaps in the doors or windows. Lay out sticky traps in areas where spiders are habitually active, and further diminish outdoor lighting, which is a magnet for insects and, thus, the source of spiders hunting them.

Conclusion

A summer free of pests will help you embrace all its good things. Awareness of the appropriate types of pest control and the application of these methods to prevent these unwanted guests can significantly lower the occurrence of such pests and thus create a welcoming atmosphere for summer occasions.

Be careful and swift with your actions, and cheers to a sunny season without any undesirable critters getting in your way!