June kicks off the summer months, and for many, this means vacationing and spending more time outside with family and friends. The only problem is the warm weather also brings unwanted guests such as mosquitoes, yellow jackets, ants, flies, and more.
Summer insects are more prevalent in specific areas and are often attracted to barbecues and outdoor gatherings. Flies, yellow jackets, and ants are drawn to barbecue fare while mosquitoes become active at dusk.
Why You Can’t Ignore Pests This Summer
Not only are summer pests a nuisance, they also bring a host of health risks. Houseflies can carry over 100 different germs and ants may contaminate your summer picnic foods. Mosquitoes pose a bigger threat than just itchy, red bumps. They can be carriers of disease including malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. Bee stings are a significant danger if they cause an allergic reaction. When yellow jackets attack, they can sting their victims repeatedly. Stinging insects send nearly half a million people to the emergency room each year.
Keep yourself, your family, and your guests safe this summer with the following 10 outdoor Memphis pest control tips.
- Check for wasp nests under the eaves and on chairs or play structures. Look around before you host outdoor events and make sure bee nests aren’t visible nearby.
- Remove standing water from your property. Empty buckets, planters, bird baths, garden ponds and other items around your property which hold standing water. These are natural breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
- Trim and maintain your landscaping. Mow your lawn, trim back bushes from touching your home, and remove piles of leaves or yard debris.
- Repair holes in screen doors and windows. Replace worn screens or repair holes when possible to keep insects from coming inside.
- Store food in sealed containers and keep kitchen counters clean. Reduce creating the urge for ants, other insects, or rodents to be attracted to the indoors by sealing food and putting leftover dog food away at night.
- Serve food and beverages indoors – eat and entertain outdoors. Avoid flies and bees from congregating around food by keeping food and beverages indoors.
- Toss overripe fruits and vegetables. Fruit flies can lay hundreds of eggs within 24-30 hours on moist, fermenting foods.
- Rinse and recycle bottles and cans. Bees are attracted to leftover sugars. Rinse empty cans and store them away from guests for recycling.
- Remove firewood and other materials from touching your house or shed. Stacked wood provides a hiding place for insects and easy access to find cracks and sneak inside. Five feet should be the minimum distance, but the further away you can put firewood, the better.
- Don’t let garbage pile up. Take out the trash often and adhere to your local trash schedule to avoid garbage bags piling up.
If summer insects prevail despite your preventive measures, call the pest control experts at Inman-Murphy Termite & Pest Control. Enjoy your summer barbecues and pool parties in peace without the threat of insects. Contact us today for professional pest control services for yellow jackets, ants, mosquitoes, termites, rodents, and more.
