Common Summer Pest Control Issues To Watch For
A pest infestation in your home is something no one wants. It can ruin food supplies and fabrics, and some pests even carry dangerous diseases. Bugs and rodent issues can occur throughout the year, but your home is particularly vulnerable in the summer when insects thrive and reproduce at a rapid rate. It's good to know all the pests to look out for so you can find ways to keep them out of your dwelling.
Common insects that can infiltrate your home in the summer include mosquitoes, cockroaches, fruit flies, and house flies. Bed bugs and fleas can create serious problems in your home in the summer, and carpet beetles can cause serious damage. Several ant species can infest your home, as can rodents and several wasp species. Diligently clean, patch holes and cracks, and remove food sources to keep these pests at bay.
An insect or rodent infestation can completely derail your summer plans. Not only do these pests make your home feel dirty, but in some cases, pest control can cost a fortune. To ensure insects and rodents don't ruin your summer, keep reading. Below is a list of the most common summer pests, as well as ways to keep them out of your home.
Nine Pests That Can Cause Problems In Your Home In The Summer
1. Mosquitos
One of the most recognizable summer insects is the mosquito. These bugs are famous for their bites that cause itchy welts and their rapid reproduction. These tiny insects aren’t only a problem outside, as mosquito larvae can grow in your home anywhere they find stagnant water.
Small puddles, flower vases, and any other nearby water source are an ideal home for these blood suckers. Not only are these insects a nuisance, but some mosquito species carry very dangerous viruses, some of which can even be fatal.
2. Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles are one of the last insects you want in your home. Their numbers peak during warm weather, and they love to find ways to get inside. When these bugs are in their larval stage, they quickly consume natural fibers and not only eat holes in carpets, but they will also destroy clothes and furniture. They have a particular love for expensive fabrics, including silk and leather, which means they can destroy some of your favorite garments if left unchecked.Â
3. Cockroaches
A cockroach infestation is one of the most unpleasant experiences a homeowner can go through. While these bugs can become a problem in any weather, they breed faster and are more active in the summer. The heat and humidity of the season are particularly favorable to these pests.Â
Cockroaches are very hard to get rid of once they start laying eggs in your home. They reproduce rapidly and are excellent at hiding in small cracks and hard-to-reach places. They can also get into your food, leaving droppings and contaminating your groceries.
4. Fruit Flies And House Flies
Flies are another type of insect that can rapidly reproduce and become a serious problem in a matter of days. Fruit flies, in particular, seem to appear out of nowhere and can quickly take over a kitchen. House flies will lay eggs in your trash and food that’s stored outside the fridge, resulting in maggots. While flies exist whenever temperatures are above freezing, they are usually a much bigger problem once the weather warms up.
5. Bed Bugs
There is perhaps no pest more feared than bed bugs. These tiny insects feed on your blood during the night and are also incredibly difficult to get rid of once they infest your home. They can survive months without feeding, and one of the only effective ways to get rid of them is to have a professional treat your entire home for bed bugs, which can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the size of your home and the severity of the infestation. While these bugs are an issue year-round, warmer weather allows them to repopulate and infest your home more quickly.
6. Ants
Several ant species can enter your home and quickly become a problem. House ants and carpenter ants both cause major issues. Carpenter ants in particular are a pest you want to avoid, as they can cause structural damage to your furniture and home. Hot, dry summer conditions encourage these pests to seek food and shelter indoors. They can wreak havoc on your kitchen pantry and are hard to get rid of once they’re established.
7. Wasps
Wasps might be great pollinators, but they have no business in or near your home. Unfortunately, these pests can be a real problem in peak summer months. They can even create nests near your windows and doors, which makes it easy for them to sneak into your home. Their stings are incredibly painful, which means they are one of the last insects you want flying around your home.
8. Fleas
Fleas are another type of tiny bug that can cause big problems. These biting insects often enter the home on your pets, but they can quickly settle in your furniture, causing serious itching for everyone in the house. These miniscule biting insects become a big problem in warmer weather, when their lifecycle speeds up, and they reproduce rapidly.
9. Rodents
Mice and rats can seek shelter in your home throughout the year, including in the summer. Rodent populations increase significantly in the summer, and they are constantly seeking food and shelter. These critters leave droppings, scratch through walls, and many people are highly allergic to these pests. They can also carry diseases, many of which are very dangerous to humans.
Seven Ways To Manage Pest Issues This Summer
1. Seal Holes And Cracks In The Home
One of the best ways to keep insects and rodents out of the home is to eliminate vulnerabilities. Look for small cracks and holes, and fill them promptly. Add door sweeps to seal gaps under your doors.
2. Keep Pets Clean And Healthy
Pets that venture outdoors can bring in all sorts of insects, including fleas and ticks. After your pet goes for a walk, especially in the woods or wanders through tall grass, wash and inspect it before allowing it in the house. Never let your pet jump onto furniture after spending time in the wilderness or in a dog park.
3. Install And Maintain Window Screens
Window screens are one of the best ways to keep flying insects out of your home. In addition to installing screens in early spring, inspect them to ensure there are no holes. Patch up any small rips or holes, and remember to replace them when needed.
4. Store Food In Sealed Containers
One great way to discourage many pests, including rodents, flies, cockroaches, and ants, from entering your home is to eliminate their food sources. Keep your food sealed in the fridge. Ensure all shelf-stable pantry items are in airtight containers.
5. Keep Surfaces Dry And Clean
Maintaining a clean and dry home is a great way to keep insects and rodents out. Many pests require moisture to thrive and reproduce, including cockroaches, flies, and mosquitoes. Diligently wiping surfaces and checking for leaks is a great way to make your home less appealing to pests.Â
6. Sweep, Vacuum, And Mop Regularly
Many insects live on the floor, so do your best to keep it clean. Regularly sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming is a great way to keep ants, carpet beetles, and other bugs out of your home.
7. Keep Drains Clean And Trash Bins Closed
Trash cans and drains are two places where several pests thrive. To ensure tthey aren’t reproducing in these areas, you must keep drains and trash cans clean. Pour hot water down the drain regularly, and remove food residue promptly. Take out the trash more often, and keep the lid clean and closed.
Summing Up Summer Pest Control Issues You Should Know
Summer should be a season of relaxation, not a period when you’re struggling with one pest infestation after another. Unfortunately, warm weather brings insects and rodents out of hiding, making your home more vulnerable to several pests. Cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies, and ants are some of the most common pests you need to keep out in summer.Â
Carpenter beetles and bed bugs can cause serious damage to a home, as can rodents, which can also carry diseases. Use window screens, seal all cracks and openings in your home’s exterior, and promptly wipe up stagnant water. Remove food sources, keep the floors clean, and ensure trash bins and sink drains are cleaned frequently.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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