With the sun shining and the temperature warming up, you’ll want to plan multiple outdoor adventures during the exciting summer months. Family barbecues, campouts and sunset walks are ideal this time of year. Unfortunately, there are a few common pests that can put a wrench in your summer plans if you don’t know how to get rid of them.
Perhaps the most well-known insect to cause trouble during the months of June, July and August is the mosquito (Culicidae). This pest not only has bites that are itchy, but they can also transmit diseases like the West Nile Virus. The first step in eliminating mosquitoes is to remove all possible breeding grounds. That includes removing standing water from old tires or bird baths. Next, you’ll need to set up a few bug lights. These work to attract the mosquitoes and then zap them once they touch the light. Another option is to erect multiple citronella torches to repel the mosquitoes from your picnic area.
Fire ants are another pest that becomes active during the summer. These insects have a bite that is painful, and in some cases people can be allergic to them. Prevention involves keeping your home and yard clean of any food (including crumbs) and rinsing out any containers that you plan to throw away in your recycle bin. To kill the fire ants, you can pour a pot of boiling water over the mound; however, this method only works if you happen to eliminate the queen. Otherwise, you’ll want to use a broadcast bait and then treat any remaining mounts with insecticide.
Once temperatures start to rise, you’ll notice more ticks. When it comes to pests, ticks are not to be ignored. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Powassan disease are all transmitted to humans through ticks. Keeping your grass cut short and treating your pets with a flea and tick medication is a great way to help prevent a tick infestation. Once you discover ticks on your property, you’ll have a few options to eliminate them. Spread a layer of diatomaceous earth on the ground. This all-natural substance actually pierces the exoskeleton of the tick, which causes the tick to expire from dehydration. Another method for removing ticks is to have an exterminator spray an insecticide.
These are the top pests that you’ll want to keep an eye out for during the summer months. For more information on pest removal in Cary, visit this website.
Perhaps the most well-known insect to cause trouble during the months of June, July and August is the mosquito (Culicidae). This pest not only has bites that are itchy, but they can also transmit diseases like the West Nile Virus. The first step in eliminating mosquitoes is to remove all possible breeding grounds. That includes removing standing water from old tires or bird baths. Next, you’ll need to set up a few bug lights. These work to attract the mosquitoes and then zap them once they touch the light. Another option is to erect multiple citronella torches to repel the mosquitoes from your picnic area.
Fire ants are another pest that becomes active during the summer. These insects have a bite that is painful, and in some cases people can be allergic to them. Prevention involves keeping your home and yard clean of any food (including crumbs) and rinsing out any containers that you plan to throw away in your recycle bin. To kill the fire ants, you can pour a pot of boiling water over the mound; however, this method only works if you happen to eliminate the queen. Otherwise, you’ll want to use a broadcast bait and then treat any remaining mounts with insecticide.
Once temperatures start to rise, you’ll notice more ticks. When it comes to pests, ticks are not to be ignored. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Powassan disease are all transmitted to humans through ticks. Keeping your grass cut short and treating your pets with a flea and tick medication is a great way to help prevent a tick infestation. Once you discover ticks on your property, you’ll have a few options to eliminate them. Spread a layer of diatomaceous earth on the ground. This all-natural substance actually pierces the exoskeleton of the tick, which causes the tick to expire from dehydration. Another method for removing ticks is to have an exterminator spray an insecticide.
These are the top pests that you’ll want to keep an eye out for during the summer months. For more information on pest removal in Cary, visit this website.