Summer isn't just a time for people to get out and enjoy the warm weather - it's also a time for many pests to become more active. More lively pests can spell infestations and unpleasant encounters for many homeowners across North America. Here's some important information to help you identify if you have one of the summer's most common pests in your midst.
As Missy Henriksen of the National Pest Management Association explained in an informational video, ants are the No. 1 pest in the U.S. and Canada. Unlike other pests, ants aren't usually known to spread disease, but in the summer they can spoil food and invade cabinets. Carpenter ants can also wreck havoc on decks and porches, hurting the structural integrity of where you go to relax. Henriksen recommended that people seal holes and cracks in their homes and keep their floors and tables crumb-free.
Unlike ants, bees and wasps pack a punch. These insects are particularly present in the late summer near some of the season's best activities, the NPMA explained. They often make their homes close to people's pools, grills and porches. Sometimes, just being in these areas can provoke a swarm. The NMPA advised people overseed their lawns, paint untreated wood and ensure that all window screens are hole free.
Although people may not typically pick up fleas while they're spending time outdoors in the summer, their pets sure will. Every pet owner in the North America should be cautious, PetMD warned, because fleas are common all across the country. They thrive in more humid weather and climates, and they can explode in population in just a few days. The best way to avoid this potential pest is to treat your cats and dogs. They'll definitely want to be outside and you won't be able to stop them from contracting the parasite without proper treatment.
Spiders can become a bigger problem in many homes during the summer than other seasons. According to the Colorado State University extension school, male spiders often wander during their mating season, which is the late spring and early summer for many species. This wandering can can lead to infestations of spiders in people's homes.
Although spiders may set up camp indoors during the spring because of mating, they can also head indoors at the end of summer too, to escape dropping outdoor temperatures.
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.
