Hello June! Hello Summer! Hello…summer pests?

Oh June, what a wonderful thing it is to welcome you once more!  You are the unofficial harbinger of summer, barbecues, and all things that have to deal with having fun in the sun, and we love every second of it.  Now, despite all of this, you are known for bringing a whole wide array of critters with you; some of whom would love to put a damper on our summertime vibes.  Today, we invite you to join us, as we go over some of the most common summertime pests, and how you can keep them at bay!

Ants

Ants are a pest that operate all year round, but they sure come out in droves in the summer—partially to do with the increased temperature, and a lot to do with all the spilled food and drink at your summer picnic.  Remember, ants are scavengers, so the less food you have out that they can pick up on, the less likely that you will experience a horde coming into your home or patio.  In addition, you can set up an ant-prevention barrier using the essential oils of peppermint and spearmint.  Simply place these in a spray bottle, and spray around the perimeter of your patio, kitchen, or anywhere else where you experience a heavy ant presence.  These oils disrupt the sensory glands of the ant, sending them wandering off in the wrong direction instead of marching towards the delicious smells of your weekend barbecue.  

Ticks

Ask an hiker, jogger, or pet owner what summertime pest they hate the most, and we guarantee that the tick is high on their list.  These parasites love the summer, as it provides them with ample opportunity to latch onto you or Fido for a hearty meal.  Disgusting, we know, but thankfully, there is much you can do to prevent this from becoming a mainstream reality this summer.  For example, applying a bug repellant that has DEET in it will keep ticks away, along with wearing clothing that covers the entire body, as it gives them less surface area on your skin to latch onto.  If you plan on taking a summertime hike, be sure to cover up before you head out.

Mosquitoes

Do these pests need an introduction?  The pinnacle of “summer nuisance” the mosquito is sure to plague you this summer.  However, there are a few thing you can do to stop this bloodsucker from sucking all of the fun out of summer nights.  For example, lighting a few citronella candles around your patio will ward them off, along with rubbing a dryer sheet or banana peel on tables and legs.  Also, a bowl full of mouthwash (the traditional mint kind) can work wonders.

All of these pests are inbound this summer, but thankfully there are many things you can do to prevent against them.  And remember, if the going gets tough, Tri-County Pest Control is always there to help.  Just give us a call and see what we can do for you!