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Summer is here! As exciting as fun in the sun, juicy watermelons, and playing in the water sounds, it is also a pest’s favorite time of the year. Prevent them from ruining your summer with these summer pest prevention tips!

 

• Store Food Properly

 

Nobody wants unwanted critters using their house as a restaurant, but if you leave food unproperly stored, it is bound to happen. Keep all food sealed up tight and stored correctly. Don’t leave food, even fruit, sitting on the counter; instead, store it in the fridge. Ensure that all leftovers and bulk food are sealed in airtight containers so that no pesky pests can follow the scent. 

 

• Quickly Clean Up Messes

 

Insects love to find little treats on the floors and counters of our homes. No matter how small it is, they will find it. That is why it is vital to clean up food and drink spills right away. Make sure to wipe down the counters as well as sweep or vacuum the floors.  

 

• Rinse Out Recycling

 

Did you drink a soda and just throw it in the recycling bin? Sadly, even though we are done with the drink, there is still leftover sugar within the can that can attract pests, especially ants. Be sure to wash out your recycling before putting it in the bin. As well, regularly taking out trash and recycling will help to prevent pests. 

 

• Seal Up the House

 

Pests can get into your home through the tiniest of holes. You want to make it as hard as possible for them to do as such. You can do this by sealing up your home. Check window and door screens for holes and patch them up. Apply weather stripping or caulk to cover gaps around doors and windows, so nothing crawls through the cracks. 

 

• Maintain Your Yard

 

Keeping your yard neat and tidy can help with pest prevention. To do this, you need to clean up any yard debris, trim bushes and trees that are close to the foundation, and keep firewood away from the house.

 

• Remove Standing Water

 

Mosquitos love standing water; if you have any standing water near your home, you will become a mosquito snack. Do a thorough search of your home and property for any standing water. It may not be obvious, so look carefully around rain spouts, near air-conditioning units, and consider emptying birdbaths and garden ponds for the summer. 

 

• Use Insect Repellents

 

Being outside in the early morning and evening is one of the best parts of summer, but you don’t want to spend it getting bitten. Before heading out, spray yourself with insect repellent. If you are having an event, you may want to consider lighting citronella candles as a pest deterrent. 

 

• Get Rid of Pests

 

Do you have a pest problem that you can’t fix yourself? Call your local pest control for a consultation on what solution is right for you and your home.

It is the summer season when all the creepy crawlies we know and don’t particularly love come out in droves. Don’t let them affect you and your family’s summer! Here are the summer pests to watch out for and how you can prevent them. 

Mosquitos

That high pitch buzzing next to your ear is likely a mosquito who wants you for its next meal. Mosquitos love hot and humid weather and are commonly found near bodies of standing water. Mosquitoes can carry nasty diseases, so it is best to avoid them at all costs. 

To avoid them, be sure to wear insect repellent when going outside, get rid of any standing water near your home, double-check that screens leading into your home are repaired, and wear long sleeves or pants during dawn and dusk (mosquitos favorite time of day). 

Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks love the summertime because pets, kids, and adults all wander out into the grass. Both insects feed off those they bite, which can cause a severe problem due to disease. 

To avoid getting bitten or tracking them into your home, take preventative measures. Give your pets regular flea baths or have them wear a flea collar. For your kids and yourself, try to avoid tick and flea-infested areas, wear protective clothing, and tuck pant legs into your socks. Daily, it is wise to check yourself, your kids, and your pets for fleas and ticks (carefully removing them) to ensure that everyone is healthy and safe. 

Termites

Did you know that a termite queen can lay up to 30,000 eggs a day? And we wonder how their colonies grow so fast, that is insane! Summer season is when the queen gets busy laying eggs, and you don’t want them to start using your house as a food source. If you see any termites, it is vital to call pest control right away. 

Getting rid of termites is an involved task, and you want to exterminate them before their colony is established. Call pest control today if you have seen one of these tiny menaces. 

Stinging Insects

Wasps, yellow jackets, and hornets are friends to no one, especially since their stings can be painful and even deadly. Those who are allergic to stings are at increased risk during the summer months when the insect population rises. Often, nests can be found tucked into corners on the outside of the house or under the decking. 

Handling a stinging insect nest is a job for the professionals. Some stinging insects can repeatedly sting, which can be seriously dangerous to anyone, even without allergies. If you have a stinging insect nest, call your local exterminator to get it handled correctly and keep you and your family safe.

Do you have creepy crawlies or unwanted critters trying to live in your home? Have all your DIY methods failed? It is time to call pest control to take care of this problem. Before you hire a company, though, you must ask these questions. 

Do they offer a free in-person estimate?

An over-the-phone general estimate may seem like a quick and easy answer, but it is usually a poor one. This is because they have no idea what your specific problem is and will likely tack on additional charges that they “didn’t know about” when they do the job. You want the pest control company to stop by, give your problem an inspection, and then receive an estimate that they will stand behind with no hidden fees. 

What treatments work for your problem?

Pest problems are not a one size fits all deal; each issue has a different solution. You want to ask which treatment will work best for your problem and if the company provides that option. 

What if it doesn’t work?

Let’s face it; there is a chance that it isn’t going to work! What happens then? You should ask your pest control company about their warranty policy or guarantee of services. Evaluate their answers thoroughly before choosing a company. 

Is the treatment safe for humans, pets, and your garden?

Some pest control treatments are downright toxic, and others are safe to be around. Before hiring a pest control company, ask if the treatment is safe for humans, pets, and your garden. Make sure to provide and get details. Cats may respond differently to pest control treatments than a lizard or bird, so you want to make sure the answer applies to your household. In addition, be sure to ask what pesticides they are using; if they don’t know or don’t want to answer, that is a big red flag telling you to choose someone else. 

Is the company properly licensed, bonded, and insured?

You don’t want some unlicensed company coming into your home with dangerous chemicals, right? No way! Ask your pest control company if they are appropriately licensed, bonded, and insured. Plus, don’t just take their word for it. Ask for proof of license and insurance before signing the contract.

How much experience do they have?

Is the company brand new, or have they been around for decades? Experience is something that you want to consider before choosing a pest control company. Inquire what the company’s experience is as well as the training (past and ongoing) of their technicians. 

Do they have testimonials or reviews?

Reviews are everything! Don’t just look at the reviews on the company website, but at online reviews from places like Google, Facebook, or Yelp. See what people have to say about the company because you will likely receive the same experience. 

Do you need pest control services? Reach out to your local pest control company to inquire about a free quote today!

Nobody wants uninvited guests inside their home, and that especially includes pests. That is why it is essential to be vigilant of unwanted critters inside your home. However, there is a vast array of creatures that may try to make themselves at home, including these unexpected pests you may encounter.

Bugs

Bugs are not an unexpected pest, but are you familiar with how many different types of insects can infest your home? Here we will provide a quick breakdown of a few insects that you may find. 

Ants

Acrobat, Black Carpenter, Crazy, Fire, Little Black, Pavement, and Pharaoh ants can commonly be found in the home. You will rarely find just one of these little creatures as they like to come in droves. 

Bed Bugs

These awful and often invisible critters can be found in mattresses, on couch cushions, in plaster cracks, and even in electronics. They are becoming a common problem once again, and it is best to eliminate them before they get settled in your home.  

Beetles

Carpet, Cigarette, Confused Flour, Drugstore, Foreign Grain, Ground, Khapra, Larder, Merchant Grain, and Red Flour beetles are just some of the fun named beetles that can be found in your home. 

Bees

While bees are an excellent insect to have in your gardens, you do not want them in your home. If you see one inside your home, it is likely a fluke. If it happens on the regular, it is time to call pest control. 

Cockroaches

American, Brownbanded, German, and Oriental cockroaches can be found scuttling around your home. Like with bees, one was likely a fluke, but if you see them regularly, then you have a problem. 

Crickets

Camel and House crickets are very easy to identify with their sound, but they can be impossible to catch on your own. It is best to call a specialist. 

Fleas

Fleas are usually brought into the house on animals and children that were playing outside, but they can create a substantial issue once inside. 

Flies

Flies will quickly annoy you with their distinct buzzing noise, and you will want to hunt it down with a fly swatter. However, if you are getting dozens of flies, you may have an infestation. 

Hornets

Hornets are the meaner cousin to the bee, and they are also not welcome into the home. Before they create a nest and start stinging your family, get them removed! 

Millipedes

This horror movie inducing creature, along with their smaller cousins, the Centipede, can take up residence in your home, and you will likely want to call pest control as soon as possible. 

Spiders

Spiders are excellent hunters to have outside, but it is vital to keep them out there. Many spiders like the Black Widow and the Brown Recluse are highly dangerous, so if you spot one inside, it is critical to get it taken care of immediately. 

Termites

These tiny insects can cause severe damage to your home or business at a rapid rate. Their colonies grow quickly and feast on the wood of your building. Termites cause over 2 billion dollars of damage in the USA annually. Don’t let them do that to you! If you see one, call the exterminator immediately. 

Rats

Mice and rats may be cute in the pet store, but you don’t want them to take up residence in your home uninvited. If you see chew marks, droppings, shredded paper hidden in corners, or if you can hear the pitter-patter of their feet, or other noticeable signs of an infestation, then it is time to call pest control. 

Birds

You may not think that birds would be considered a pest problem, but they can be. Birds can carry disease and parasites, their nests can cause damage to buildings, and their droppings can create a mess. If you are faced with an overabundance of birds or bats, you can call pest control to install bird netting or to have them removed.