Summertime brings fun in the sun—but it also means pests are out in force. Flies, mosquitoes, and rodents are more active during long, hot days as they search for food, water, and shelter.

Limit vegetation touching structures and trim shrubs and trees regularly to keep pests out. Inspect and seal cracks around doors and windows, and ensure trash cans have tight-fitting lids. Check out Pest Control Springfield MO for more information.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are notoriously known for their itchy bites, but these pesky insects also carry several dangerous diseases. Mosquitoes can spread West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) to humans and pets. While these diseases are rare, the risk is real and can pose a serious health threat to people.

Summer is the peak season for mosquitoes, and warm temperatures and high humidity heighten their activity. In addition, as the weather warms up, mosquito eggs that lay dormant during the winter begin to hatch and breed rapidly.

As the temperature drops in the fall, mosquito activity declines, but not for long. These insects may still be active in warmer regions until October or November. During this time, they often look for new breeding sites and will feed on birds and mammals.

To help prevent mosquitoes, avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when they are most active. Eliminate standing water around the home by draining flower pots, gutters, children’s toys, bird baths, and other containers on a weekly basis. Ensure that windows and doors are properly screened, repairing any tears in the screen. Also, wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible when outdoors. This includes long-sleeved shirts and pants made of light fabrics, and an insect repellent with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

In addition to eliminating standing water, mowing the lawn regularly and keeping brush and debris away from the house can help reduce mosquitoes. In areas where ticks are a problem, keep your yard mowed and debris-free, removing woodpiles and leaf litter that may harbor these pests.

Ticks

As people take advantage of the warmer weather to enjoy hiking, picnicking and playing outdoors, some living creatures are becoming more active as well. Seasonal warmth triggers a surge in fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, worms and botflies seeking hosts and new homes for their offspring. This overall uptick in pest activity underscores the importance of robust preventive strategies and ongoing treatment services.

Ticks are dangerous because they can attach to people and animals and transmit dangerous diseases like Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis. They can be difficult to spot, especially on pets with thick fur, so an infestation can go unnoticed until signs of illness appear. While ticks can bite humans at any time of year, they are most active during the spring and summer months.

A range of factors affect tick populations, including weather and available food for their hosts such as acorns for mice. Climate change is contributing to earlier springs, hotter summers and shorter, milder winters that can boost tick activity across the country.

While the Blacklegged deer tick is most common in the Northeast and Midwest, other species of ticks are also prevalent across the U.S., including the lone star tick in the South and Eastern states. These pests thrive in wooded areas and transitional areas with tall grasses.

Ticks can be thwarted by wearing repellent, particularly those containing DEET, and making sure clothing and gear is treated with permethrin. Regularly cutting your lawn and removing brush piles, weeds and other potential hiding places for the pests can help too. It’s also important to limit the amount of yard that gets occupied by plants that can provide shelter for mice and other rodents that can carry ticks.

Termites

Like ants and bees, termites are wood-eating pests that live in colonies and work together to destroy structures. Although they can be found year-round, summer is when they are most active and can cause significant damage to homes and other buildings. The reason for this is that it’s the season when winged termites, known as swarmers, are most likely to appear. When these swarmers leave their current colony, they shed their wings and pair up with a mate in order to start new colonies.

This is why it’s important to regularly inspect the exterior of your home, as well as other outdoor structures on your property. Keeping up with regular inspections and blocking entry points, can help prevent a serious termite infestation before it gets out of control.

Because termites rely on cellulose, which is found in many plants and also paper products, they are particularly active in the summer when food sources are plentiful. This means that it’s a good idea to keep any wood piles away from your house, and to store wood in a dry place.

Another good practice is to check your roof frequently, especially after storms, for any leaks. Water intrusion from a leaking roof is a big contributor to a termite infestation, so it’s important to have any problems addressed as soon as possible.

Summer is a time to enjoy the warm weather, take advantage of your yard, and spend more time with family and friends. But it’s also a time to keep an eye out for any potential pest problems, so that you can act quickly and effectively before these pests do any harm. With a little vigilance and some proactive prevention techniques, you can enjoy the summer without worrying about pesky pests!

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a common summer pest because they seek warmth, food and water during hot temperatures. In addition, warm weather can accelerate their reproductive and breeding cycles. These insects are scavengers and typically live in damp, dark areas, including basements, crawl spaces and kitchens.

Homeowners can help prevent cockroach infestations by cleaning up spills and food crumbs, sealing cracks and crevices, removing clutter and vacuuming regularly. Additionally, homeowners should use tight-fitting door and window screens to keep out roaches. If you suspect a cockroach infestation, contact a professional pest control company at the first sign of these unwanted guests.

These resilient pests gain access to homes through tiny cracks and crevices in walls, floors, foundations and gaps around doors and windows. They may also hitch a ride inside on items brought into the home such as boxes, bags, clothing and furniture. Additionally, cockroaches can migrate from neighboring apartments through shared wall space and utility lines.

Once inside a building, cockroaches are opportunistic feeders and will quickly contaminate foods and other surfaces with their droppings, saliva and shed skins. They can also trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in humans. In addition, cockroaches can carry bacteria that cause infections such as E.coli and salmonella. Cockroach infestations can be difficult for homeowners to eradicate without the help of a professional. That’s why it is important to get them under control early in the season before populations become out of hand. To detect a cockroach infestation, look for fecal matter (dark spots or smears), cast skins and egg cases, as well as a musty odor. For best results, set traps in areas where cockroaches are most active during the day and night and monitor them frequently for activity.

Rodents

We all think of rodents as winter pests, but they can invade during the summer too. The warm weather attracts them in search of food, water, and shelter. They are more active and breed quickly in the summer.

Rodents can cause serious damage to homes. They can chew through electrical wires, which can lead to fires and other hazards for homeowners. Additionally, they can transmit diseases to humans and pets. They also destroy gardens and other outdoor areas.

In addition to rodents, scavengers such as flies, hornets, and yellow jackets are more active in the summer. They are looking for enough food to feed their colonies and prepare for the colder months ahead.

Stinging insects can be a real problem, so it’s best to leave them to the professionals. Regular maintenance of your yard helps keep these pests away from the house, including removing standing water, trimming trees and bushes, and keeping debris piles away from your home.

Mice and rats are looking for a cool place to hide during the hot summer months, and they can fit through tiny gaps. They will seek out stocked pantries, garbage that hasn’t been disposed of in secured trash cans, and other food sources around the house.

You can help prevent rodent infestations by storing all foods in sealed containers and limiting the amount of waste that is discarded on your property. You can also ensure that all entry points to your home are sealed. In the summer, this means examining and sealing gaps around windows, doors, vents, and the foundation. You can use caulk, steel wool, and weatherstripping to seal these gaps. If you have an established rodent problem, a professional exterminator can provide targeted solutions.