Whether you live or go to school in the Edwardsville, IL area, you know that summer means high temps, days at the pool, and a litany of fun activities. However, it’s not all fun and games for Midwesterners as the season heats up. While this area can be great for float trips and all types of summer enjoyment, it’s also a time for many pests to play as well. However, how do you limit pests while maximizing the fun you have this year? Well, the first step is becoming familiar with the enemy. Here are the pests you should look out for as the weather heats up and what you can do to limit your exposure!
Mosquitoes
When it comes to summer pests, there are few more feared than the dreaded mosquito. Not only do mosquito bites cause itching, but they can also spread serious illnesses that will have you worrying about a whole other problem.
While your municipality likely treats mosquitoes, you may still see them in numbers this season. To prevent mosquitoes, limit any standing water around your home, as this is a breeding ground for the insect. Additionally, store-bought bug sprays, fly paper or citronella candles may help protect you while enjoying time outside.
Stinging Insects
The summer brings an unending onslaught of stinging insects to worry about. Whether it’s carpenter bees that bore holes in your wood deck or wasps that build nests underneath ledges, limiting nesting areas will also limit untimely meetings right outside of your front door.
To limit stinging insects, you can pick up a few cans of wasp and hornet killer at many stores and inspect your home for nests. You may find nests in garages and sheds, in trees, underneath ledges, inside wood surfaces, etc. You can also call a professional to ensure you are completely protected if the problem is severe.
Ants
Ants are extremely active in the summertime, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll be warding them offer all season long. Ants love to find their way inside your home looking for food and anything they can carry away to their nest.
However, it may be easier than you think you eliminate these pests. Take a walk around the perimeter of your home to spot any nests that are close to your foundation. Next, be sure to keep trash and food sealed at all times, so as not to attract any hungry ants into your home.
Flies
Flies are another unfortunate part of the summer months, and they come in all shapes and sizes. From the tiniest of fruit flies to the dreaded horsefly, you’ll want to be sure you keep doors and windows closed and a fly swatter handy.
Limiting flies can be trickier because it’s difficult to know where they’re coming from. However, the best thing you can do is keep your home clean. Fruit flies are attracted to decaying fruit while common houseflies feed on garbage and filth. Keep it clean to limit these guys.
Ticks
If you live near a wood area, you’ll no doubt have your run-ins with ticks this season. Ticks live in piles of dead leaves and other wood areas, waiting to hop onto their next victim. Many times this is in the form of a dog or pet or someone that’s hiking or working in the woods.
Ticks can cause serious illness, so it’s best to give yourself a thorough inspection anytime you’ve been in the woods are somewhere ticks like to hide. Additionally, be sure to treat your dog with tick and flea control medicine to ensure unwanted visitors aren’t hitching a ride right into your home!
Termites
Last, but certainly not least is the termite. Also very active during the summer months, which is the time when termites are foraging for food and working to build up their colonies. This desire for progress leads them right to your home to snack on the studs on your walls.
With termites, you’ll want to limit anything close to the home that could serve as an access point such as piles of logs, brush, or other detritus material. Additionally, it’s important to seek the help of a termite professional, as termite infestations can cost you thousands in structural repairs – prevention is certainly the better option here.
