With spring around the corner, pests should be coming out in a month or so. However, they've decided to show up early this year in British Columbia, and citizens are rushing to get prepared.
Pests begin to come out of hiding when temperatures rise and there are a few rainstorms. Well this year that happened early, according to CTV News.
When heat and rain mix together, it creates a pleasant, humid environment that's perfect for gnats, flies and cockroaches. So this year, British Columbia and other surrounding communities have been swarmed with pests. Many insects, such as mosquitoes, need heat to survive. Adding water to that equation makes it an ideal environment. Yet aside from being a nuisance, mosquitoes and other insects tend to carry several illnesses that can easily be transmitted to humans through the bugs' saliva.
Consider these tips to keep gnats, mosquitoes and cockroaches out of your home this year.
Mosquitoes: This pest is mainly attracted to areas with standing water, as this spot is where they breed, ABC News noted. If you have any standing water around your home, immediately throw it out and place the container upside down to prevent the problem from happening again. If you plan to go outside for prolonged periods of time, wear bug repellant to avoid getting bitten. You can also wear long sleeves and pants to prevent this. Avoid wearing dark colors, as mosquitoes are attracted to them.
Cockroaches: Cockroaches are another pest that's fond of water sources. It also likes food. Keep this pest away by wiping down counters and surfaces and dumping out any standing water. You should also vacuum regularly to prevent any crumbs from gathering that cockroaches can feed on. Place all your food in tightly sealed containers so cockroaches can't get into it. This pest is known for the various types of bacteria it carries, so preventing cockroaches is crucial to your health.
Gnats: Gnats are attracted to food and water too. Though these flies are small, they can get annoying quickly. They'll find any exposed food, so it's important to keep all food covered or wrapped to prevent drawing them in. Wipe down counters and other surfaces to prevent sticky substances from building up, as gnats can find these areas too. Throw out garbage regularly as the scent of rotting food can also pull them in.
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.
