When summer approaches and the weather gets warmer, things can begin to change. The days get longer, people spend more time outdoors, plants and trees grow rapidly, and wildlife becomes more active. These changes can have a chain reaction on certain things, and not all of them are positive. In fact, you might begin to see more household pests during summer.
Many household pests will breed faster in the summer months due to the increased heat; this applies to anything from mosquitos to rats. Plus, as insects are cold-blooded, they are more prolific when the temperature rises. To learn more about what pests you might see during the summer, and how to get rid of them, keep reading this post.
Ants
Throughout homes and yards in the US, ants are very common. These small pests are known to invade homes in search of food and shelter. This happens because their outdoor food sources usually dwindle from June to September. They thrive during the summer, meaning colonies get larger and become more active. With their increased numbers, they require more food and water, and this is another reason why they will begin infiltrating homes.
If you do have ants in your home, they will be relatively easy to spot. They tent to travel in numbers, meaning you should be able to spot clusters or trails of them. Thankfully, they are one of the more harmless pests found in the house, but you should aim to get rid of them quickly – or, even better, prevent them from invading your home altogether.
There are numerous products available to keep ant infestations at bay during the summer months, but you must begin with the basics. As ants are opportunistic feeders seeking water when the temperatures climb, you need to ensure your home is properly maintained. This means repairing any water leaks, including faucets and pipes, and eliminating excess moisture in air conditioning units. It is also wise to clean up crumbs and spills quickly to avoid attracting ants.
Mice and Rats
Many people will leave their doors and windows open during the summer, and this can make it easier for some pests to infiltrate your home. One such pest to do this is a rodent. Whether that’s a mouse or a rat, rodents have the ability to climb surfaces to gain access to a property, with some even scaling plants to roof level where they can find gaps and weak points. They will seek out food sources within a house, and this could cause the spread of disease.
Similar to ants, removing clutter, dirt, and food sources is a useful method of deterring rodents from entering your home. However, you must also seal any possible entry points that could enable a mouse or rat into your house. This means inspecting your property for cracks, gaps, or holes in the floors, foundations, and walls, and sealing any identified entry points with caulk or steel wool. There might even be gaps under exterior doors that could be sealed with door sweeps or weather stripping.
While prevention is a good option here, and having a clean home is a good way to begin this, but infestations need to be targeted quickly. This means hiring a rodent removal service to target the pests before health and structural risks occur. Services, like the one provided by Attic Pros, target current infestations and work to prevent future ones from occurring. These professionals understand the risks that mice and rats can pose within a home and will put in place preventative measures to keep these rodents out in the future.
Wasps
Although bumblebees can be slightly bothersome, especially if you are scared of them, wasps are more aggressive and can become true pests when given the opportunity. Bees will die after they sting, but wasps will continue to sting over and over again if given the opportunity. They can be incredibly dangerous if their nests are disturbed, and they are commonly found in bird boxes, garages, sheds, and wall cavities.
Wasps become more active during the late summer and early fall, seeking food sources. This is why you might find them flying around picnic tables and sugary drinks as they prefer sweet foods. If you begin to notice more wasps around your house, or you can hear a buzzing sound from a wall or ceiling, then you could have a wasp’s nest within your house.
The best advice for dealing with a wasp infestation is to call a professional. Again, these pests can be dangerous and only someone with the right training should be tasked with getting rid of them once and for all.
To conclude, there are numerous pests that you might spot as the temperature rises and summer approaches. Ants, mice and rats, and wasps are some of the most common, and knowing how to deal with them can save you a lot of hassle if an infestation occurs.
Leave a Reply