Summer is the most exciting time of year for many. From a long break from school to bright, cheerful weather that adds some pep to your step, many people look forward to long days of fun in the sun.
However, with rising temperatures and longer daylight hours come unwanted guests: tiny summer insects that want to call your home their own.
The kinds of insects that are most likely to pester you depend on what your property looks like, where itโs located, and more, but one thing is certain: you should act before letting them gain a foothold in your house.
From preventative measures to natural remedies and effective pest control solutions, this blog offers practical advice to help you keep your home and outdoor spaces insect-free throughout the summer.
Stay on Top of Landscaping
Whether itโs ticks or ants, bugs love safety โ and a property that is not well landscaped provides plenty of safe places to hide. Tall grass is the easiest to remedy.
Schedule lawn mowing weekly or every other week to keep the grass manageable. If it grows too tall, it collects moisture and serves as a protective shield from the sun, wind, and predators, allowing insects to encroach closer to your home without risk.
In addition to the grass, clean up the lawn to remove piles of debris, such as leaves or sticks. If you keep chopped wood for burning, move it away from the side of the home, or even better, store it inside a container. The fewer shady, damp places insects have to hide, the less likely they are to choose your property as an ideal place to set up camp.
Seal the Home From Summer Insects
Insects cannot get into your home if they have no pathways leading inside. Cracks around exterior piping and entryways are the most frequent culprits for insect entry, and sealing them offers numerous benefits. Not only can you keep insects out of your home, but you may also enjoy lower utility bills by reducing drafts coming in from windows and doors.
However, be smart about what you seal! Weep holes near windows, for instance, are placed there for a reason and should be left open to serve their intended purpose.
Address Standing Water
Many bugs love standing water because it provides a safe, consistent water source that helps them to drink and molt. However, some bugs โ including the notoriously annoying mosquito โ need standing water in order to reproduce.
Removing standing water on your property can interrupt these insectsโ life cycles, dramatically reducing their population. But if you donโt have bird baths, old tires, or planters, you might not realize where your standing water is.
Mosquitoes only need about a tablespoon of water to reproduce, so even cupholders on your grill or a clogged gutter are sufficient to cause problems.
Consider Integrated Pest Management
Removing tiny summer insects should be a comprehensive strategy, not just one or two small adjustments. Integrated pest management approaches insect control from multiple angles at once.
The pros can show you how itโs done, from adding beneficial bacteria or insects that feast on the pests to planting flowers that repel unwanted bugs naturally.
This route has the added benefit of avoiding chemical pesticides when possible, preserving the environment, and sparing honeybees and other helpful pollinators.
Keep Things Clean
Insects cannot stay in an area where there is no food, so eliminating their food sources is a good way to get them to leave. Keep your home and the surrounding area tidy.
If you spill food, clean it up quickly and store trash bags in a plastic bin rather than on the ground. Store food in glass or smooth plastic containers to discourage ants and roaches from finding their next feast.
Act Quickly Against Summer Insects
If you spot an insect or two in your home, you donโt need to go nuclear right away. However, if you notice more than just a few invaders, do not give in to the temptation to just leave them alone and hope they go away.
Acting quickly can be the difference between dealing with a huge infestation later and addressing the problem while itโs still simple and easy to fix.
Explore Summer Insect Control Solutions from the Pros
Tiny insects spend their summer trying to get into safe places full of food, shade, and moisture โ and for many, the inside of your home is an ideal vacation spot.
With integrated pest control solutions that address the causes of infestation at the root, you will find greater success keeping your home and property pest-free. The experts at Spartan Animal & Pest Control can help you consider your options for eliminating summer insects.
If you are already facing issues or simply want to stay ahead of the problem, contact Spartan to schedule an in-person appointment.
