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As you spend more time outdoors in the summer, you probably notice a lot of bugs and critters throughout the day. Their numbers grow and they become more active during the warmer months, and that means these creatures can quickly turn into pests whether you’re at home or out camping. Let’s review the most common summer pests and ways to avoid both indoor infestations and unwelcome guests in your camping area.

Summer Pests in the Home

Termites

Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year, making them a real concern for homeowners across the country. In many cases, termites go undetected until they’ve caused a major issue with the woodwork of your home.

Preventative measures go into most new constructions, and there are steps you can take to retrofit an existing house.

In general, it’s important to ensure proper drainage around your home, keep firewood away from the home, and seal up any exposed woodwork.

Ants

A trail of ants in the kitchen or bathroom is something no homeowner wants to see.

They enter the home through small cracks and crevices, lured in by food and moisture sources they commonly find in the kitchen.

Removing the ones you can see is only half the battle, and to truly remove the issue you need to focus on sanitation and avoiding exposed food and water sources.

Fruit Flies

Potted plants, kitchen sinks, fruit bowls, and anything else with sugar—these pests seem to hover around everything in the summertime.

In addition to being annoying, fruit flies also have the potential to spread harmful germs from surface to surface and onto things we eat.

There are a number of ways to trap them when they become an issue. To prevent them from popping up in the first place, keep fruit in the refrigerator, clean out your sink drain often, and let the soil in potted plants dry thoroughly between waterings.

Summer Pests Outdoors

Because you’ll be outside so much during the warm summer months, let’s take a look at the most common outdoor pests that can impact your camping trip or picnic in the park.

Mosquitoes

A sure sign of summer, these little biters are most active during sunrise, sunset, and during the night.

In addition to painful bites and an annoying rash, mosquito bites can spread disease like West Nile virus.

There are various strategies you can use to avoid being bitten, and you can help prevent the prevalence of mosquitoes in your outdoor space by removing standing water, where mosquitoes lay eggs.

Ticks

Checking for ticks at the end of a day spent outdoors is a good habit to develop. These parasites carry a number of diseases that can affect humans and animals, alike, and they’re becoming more prevalent across the United States.

Ticks are most commonly found in dense grassy and wooded areas, so keep an eye on pets when outside and try preventative tips to avoid being bitten.

To prevent a large number of ticks from invading your backyard, the key is in removing things like leaf litter and any other trash where ticks can hide. You should also mow your grass regularly, and prevent wild animals that carry ticks (like deer) from entering your yard.

Wasps and Bees

Telling the difference between bees and wasps is an important skill for safely interacting with these creatures without causing unnecessary harm to the benefits they offer.

While bees produce honey and pollinate, wasps can help control garden pests that munch on your greenery, like caterpillars, grubs, grasshoppers, aphids, and flies.

Despite their benefits, a sting from these creatures is painful and can cause serious allergic reactions in some people, so hives and nests can be removed if they’re interfering with everyday activities. If you’re unsure of how to deal with it, call an exterminator who specializes in bee and wasp removal.

Other Ways to Prevent Pests

Insects are common in the summertime, but they’re not the only pests that can cause issues in the home. Rodents and birds can also find their way into your home or garage, causing damage over time. Here are some steps to consider for long-lasting pest protection.

• Clean up food waste and remove garbage promptly
• Ensure dry conditions in your basement or crawl space using AprilAire dehumidification systems
• Seal up holes and gaps around your home where insects or rodents may enter
• Inspect window screens for holes or gaps, and keep windows and doors closed when not in use
• Keep your yard groomed and store firewood away from structures. Elevating firewood can also reduce the risk of termites and other pests