As they embark on a summer of outdoor gatherings and gardening, people are preoccupied with enjoying the good weather. But they're not alone when they head out for fresh air and evenings on the patio under strings of twinkling lights. It's also the season of pests, from the four-legged varieties to stinging insects and those that crawl on the ground.
Ants, wasps, fleas and mice are all about in summer when moist, warm air draws many of them from winter hiding places and nests formed in the spring. Some are simply annoying, while others carry bacteria and potentially dangerous diseases and, in the case of stingers, painful allergic reactions.
If there's an insect that seems to be everywhere in summer, it's the ant, labeled North America's No. 1 nuisance pest by the National Pest Management Association. While ants aren't usually associated with the spread of disease, they come out in great numbers in the summer when there's more food outdoors during barbecues and dining on decks and patios. Any spills and dropped food will be a magnet for ants. They may also make their way into homes where they can forage through food pantries and cabinets.
Ants also infest gaps in garden paths and between paving, where they find sandy conditions that allow them to flourish. From there they often invade lawns and leave large, yellow patches of dead grass. But even bigger damage comes from carpenter ants that burrow into wood structures and cause severe damage to decks, sheds and homes. To keep them from making their way into houses, homeowners should patch cracks in foundations and any leaks, because moist conditions also entice carpenter ants.
Proactive homeowners who have had dealings with summertime influxes of insect life and catch any intrusions early may be able to handle the bug population themselves. However, many people don't know what symptoms to look for, and before long, their property is overrun with one insect or another until they're faced with an infestation.
At times like these, it's best to let the experts take over. Pest control services like Abell Pest Control have been dealing with a variety of pests common to homes and businesses for years. After a thorough inspection, they lay out a treatment plan for property owners and rid the premises of the pests, then give advice on how to deal with such matters in the future.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
