Tips For Preventing Ticks This Summer

Dog jumping in grass

Picture this: it’s a glorious summer’s day, and you eagerly step outside, relishing the warmth of the sun on your skin. The gentle breeze carries the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the world seems alive with vibrant colors and joyful sounds. You envision a day filled with outdoor adventures, picnics, and maybe even a refreshing swim. However, amidst this picturesque scene lies an unexpected threat, lurking in the tall grass and leafy trails, ready to disrupt your idyllic summer experience: ticks.

Ticks, those tiny pests that latch onto the unsuspecting passersby, can quickly turn a beautiful day into an itchy and worrisome nightmare. Their presence not only poses a nuisance but also brings potential health risks. From transmitting diseases such as Lyme disease, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis, ticks have gained notoriety as a significant concern for outdoor enthusiasts during the summer months. But don’t worry – with the right tips and tricks, you can protect your pets from ticks all summer long.

How to Keep Ticks Off Your Dog

Preventing tick bites is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a vital step in safeguarding your health and ensuring a worry-free summer. Here are some of the most effective ways to keep your furry friends safe from ticks:

Check Your Pets Daily

After every outdoor adventure, take a few minutes to check your pet’s fur for those pesky parasites. Look everywhere, from nose to tail, and do not let any tick hide. If you find one, it is time to act! Use tweezers or a tick remover tool and get rid of them fast.

Avoid Tick Territory

One of the best ways to prevent ticks is to keep your pets from wandering into tick hot spots. These tiny pests often hide in tall grass, ready to pounce. Keep your pup on groomed trails and paths, away from tick traps. You can also make your backyard a tick-free zone by mowing and clearing debris. 

Bathe Your Pets Regularly

Routine baths can help you discover any ticks or prevent new ones from hopping into your pet’s fur. Grab a mild dog shampoo and get ready to lather up. Wash your pup from head to toe, checking for any sneaky ticks. You can also try adding some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, which are natural tick repellents.

Try a Tick-Proof Dog Vest

When it comes to protecting our furry companions from the dangers of ticks, one effective solution worth considering is tick-proof dog vests. These specialized garments offer a shield of defense against ticks, minimizing the risk of infestation and potential tick-borne diseases. Tick-proof dog vests are designed with durable, tightly-woven fabrics that create a physical barrier, preventing ticks from attaching to your dog’s fur.

Talk With Your Veterinarian

Your vet is your tick-fighting expert. Ask them about tick prevention to get personalized, pet-friendly advice. They will give you expert advice and the best products for your dog’s needs—whether collars, sprays, drops, pills, or vaccines, your vet has it all. 

Get Professional Tick Prevention

When ticks take over your property and your pet, it is time to call Inman-Murphy, Inc. They are the tick-busting pros. By using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, they can provide personalized and environmentally responsible solutions that will keep ticks out of your backyard. No more ticks, just peace of mind.

Do not let ticks hold your pet’s adventures hostage. Take charge, pet parents! Call Inman-Murphy, Inc. to learn more about their exceptional pest control services.

Enjoy Sting-Free Summers: Stinging Insect Prevention

a wasp outside a windowpane

The arrival of summer brings with it the excitement of being able to finally spend time in your backyard, barbequing, and creating lasting memories with your loved ones. These beautiful summer days can quickly turn into a nightmare by a few stinging party crashers. Nothing ruins a fun summer afternoon quicker than a sting from a wasp or yellow jacket. These pesky stinging insects can leave you with painful stings or send some to the emergency room due to allergic reactions. Don’t spend your summer in fear of stinging insects. With proper preparation you can reclaim your outdoor space and enjoy a sting-free summer!

How to Identify Common Stinging Insects 

Wasps and yellowjackets are the most common stinging insects you may encounter in your yard. Like most common household pests, they come seeking food and shelter in and around your home. 

  • There are a few types of wasps that you may find in your yard such as mud daubers and paper wasps. Mud daubers are easily identified by their extremely long, thin waist and unique tube shaped mud nests. Paper wasps are brown in color and build papery umbrella-shaped nests, usually found hanging from tree branches or eaves of a home.
  • Yellow Jackets are bright yellow and black in color and have a stockier body compared to most wasps. Some yellow jacket nests will look similar to a wasp nest, hanging up high in a tree or eave but yellow jackets are also known to build nests in the ground or hollowed out areas, often in old rodent burrows. You will commonly see yellowjackets at your outdoor gathering. They seek out meat and sugary foods, whereas wasps prefer over-ripened fruit and flowers.

Preventing Stinging Insects in Your Yard

It is important to be proactive in preventing stinging insects in your yard. Below are a few tips to keep these stinging pests away!

  • Cover Food: Yellowjackets are attracted to meat and sugary foods. Make sure to cover food while dining outdoors to keep these party crashers away.
  • Pick Up Fallen Fruit: Fresh fruit from your fruit trees is not only your favorite snack; stinging insects will seek out over ripened or decaying fruit that may have fallen from your trees. If you have fruit trees, make sure to regularly check for and remove any fallen fruit.
  • Remove Old Nests: Most stinging insects will abandon their nests in the winter. Dispose of these nests while they are inactive. If the nest is active, many people choose to use canned spray treatments. Be extremely cautious when using these DIY methods. Wasps and yellowjackets are aggressive when threatened and are able to sting multiple times. Removing active nests is best left to professionals.
  • Close Garbage Cans: You will often find stinging insects buzzing around garbage cans looking to scavenge thrown out food or sugary snacks. To prevent these little dumpster divers from hanging out in your yard, make sure to securely close garbage cans.

Professional Extermination: The Safest Solution

Attempting to remove a wasp or yellow jacket nest on your own can prove ineffective and hazardous, potentially resulting in swarms of aggressive stinging insects. The best and safest way to ensure your yard is free of stinging insects is to enlist the help of a professional extermination service like those from Inman-Murphy Termite & Pest Control. Our expert technicians have both the experience and equipment to safely and effectively remove and stinging pests from your yard. Enjoy a sting-free summer this year and contact us today!

Mosquito Prevention: Some Do’s, Some Don’ts

A person spraying bug spray on someone else's arm.

For those living in the beautiful city of Memphis it seems mosquito season is never ending. Many people are looking for a fast and easy solution to ending the attacks by these blood-thirsty feeders. While mosquito bites are annoying, they also cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes account for over 700,000 deaths per year. Mosquitoes pose great health risks from vector-borne diseases they can spread, such as:

  • Malaria
  • Zika Virus
  • West Nile Virus

DIY Mosquito Prevention Do’s

It is imperative to start mosquito prevention early before an infestation can start. Ultimately, the best method is professional pest control. Yet, many methods of DIY prevention can work, including:

  • Remove Standing Water: Dumping anything that water collects in as well as fixing any leaky or broken faucets will prevent standing water from forming. Mosquitoes love stagnant water as it is a perfect nursery for laying eggs.
  • Use Outdoor Fans: Considering mosquitoes are weak fliers, air currents from fans can push mosquitoes out and disperses the carbon monoxide we exhale.
  • Mosquito Netting: By adding netting to your doors and windows, you place a barrier round your space to keep the invading mosquitoes out. This netting also prevents other insects from getting into your home.
  • Use Bug Spray: Many EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin are available on the market. Use any insect repellent in accordance with the supplier’s instructions.

DIY Mosquito Prevention Don’ts

While there are many DIY methods that work, many methods do not work. Steer away from these:

  • Citronella Candles: While these candles are great for ambiance and saving electricity, they do little for repelling mosquitoes long-term. They need to be replaced often as they lose potency quickly. These candles are effective for a short amount of time and only if you are directly next to the candle.
  • Coffee Grounds: There is no solid evidence that burning coffee grounds or spreading the grounds around your yard works  in repelling mosquitoes. Instead, use the grounds in your compost bin for the garden!
  • Bug Zappers: Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and our body heat. Bug zappers do not have either of these qualities going for them. Instead, these zappers can kill natural predators of mosquitoes and other good-doing insects.

Professional Pest Control Services

The never-ending fight against mosquitoes can leave you drained from keeping up on the DIY methods you choose. Spend your spring and summer months pest-free* with the help of Inman-Murphy Termite & Pest Control. Our expert technicians come to your property to conduct an inspection and formulate a plan that suites your needs! Call today for a no-obligation consultation.

Common Swarming Insects this Spring

Several ants on a green leaf in springtime

Spring is here, which means the weather is warming and the flowers are blooming. However, this time of year also brings a less pleasant change… insects. As we come out of winter, bugs throughout the Mid-South TN area are waking up and searching for new places to infest. Knowing how to protect your property from common swarming insects this spring will help you prevent an infestation from taking root. 

What is a Swarm?

A swarm is a natural phenomenon where a large group of insects of the same species gather and move together as a group. In the spring, many pests throughout the Mid-South TN area swarm to find food and mate. Insect swarms can be visually striking and scary to encounter, but most don’t pose a threat to your safety. That said, a swarm can often lead to a full-blown infestation, so it’s still important to keep an eye on any pests that swarm on or near your property. 

Common Swarming Pests in Mid-South TN

Dealing with a year-long pest infestation can be a frustrating and costly ordeal, especially when it all begins with a one-day swarm. That’s why it’s essential to take preventive measures to keep swarms from escalating and turning into full-blown infestations. To help you avoid this problem in the Mid-South TN area, it’s crucial to be aware of the common swarming pests that tend to emerge during springtime:

Ants

Roughly 1,000 different ant species throughout the United States begin growing wings and forming swarms in the spring. Most do so to establish new colonies, which is why you don’t want to let them settle into your home or garden. Ants are not usually toxic, but they can be bothersome to find all over the place – especially inside of your kitchen. Here are some tips to help you prevent ants from settling into your space:

  • Keep your counters and floors clean
  • Store leftovers in airtight containers
  • Clean food scraps from your kitchen sink
  • Repair broken pipes or other moisture problems

Termites

Though termites look awfully similar to ants, they’re a much bigger problem for home and business owners. These tiny insects are capable of chewing through crucial wooden structures, which can ruin the stability of your building and lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. Most termites seek damp or damaged wood, which they use for food and nesting. To catch an infestation before it can wreak havoc on your property, look for these warning signs:

  • Long mud tubes along the floor or wall
  • Small holes or tunnels in wood
  • Discarded wings or dead insects
  • Piles of “frass” – similar to sawdust
  • Live insects or swarms on your property

Not sure if it’s a termite or an ant? Look at the wings and antennae; if the wings are all the same size and the antennae are straight, then you’re likely dealing with a termite. If you still aren’t sure what pest is invading your property, get in touch with a professional! Taking care of a termite infestation is a time-sensitive situation, and every minute you wait can cost you. A professional will be able to correctly identify the species and create a personalized plan to eliminate the pests from your space.

Bees

While honeybees and bumblebees are valuable pollinators and play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem, encountering a swarm of these stinging insects in or around your home can be a frightening experience. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent bees from swarming on your property:

  • Eliminate food sources: Contrary to popular belief, bees don’t just feed on pollen and nectar. They are also drawn to other sugary substances and may circle any food you leave out. Clean up after your picnics or barbeques to deter them from invading your yard.
  • Seal cracks or gaps in your home: A buzzing nest in your attic is the last thing you should have to worry about. Bees typically look for quiet and sheltered areas to nest, which makes easily-accessible homes the perfect environment. Seal any potential openings that lead indoors.
  • Disrupt or remove standing water: Bees need water to survive, and they can sip from tiny puddles. Go around your yard and eliminate any puddles you can find. Look in places like garden pots, playground equipment, wheelbarrows, and gutters. 

If you notice a swarm of bees on or near your property, contact a professional right away. Bees play a crucial role in our local ecosystem, so we strive to protect the insects while keeping them away from your space. 

Wasps

Despite looking so similar to bees, hornets and wasps display very different behaviors. Most are aggressive and capable of stinging multiple times, which makes them a huge threat to small children, pets, and people with allergies. Wasps typically have a more angular body than bees with a thin, pinched waist. They also lack the fuzz that bees are known for, and may have white or orange markings in addition to yellow. To prevent wasps from establishing a colony in your home or yard, follow these tips:

  • Clean up spilled food or crumbs, even in your yard
  • Don’t leave your picnic or barbecue leftovers out
  • Store your trash in tightly lidded bins
  • Keep your pet food bowls clean or indoors
  • Regularly check for the signs of a nest

Should you discover a wasp swarm or nest nearby, do not approach the insects. They can lead to painful stings or potentially dangerous situations, which is why these infestations are always best left to the professionals. Contact an expert right away to have a quick and safe wasp removal process.

Pest Control Experts in Mid-South TN

Notice swarming pests in your home or garden? Call the professional exterminators at Inman-Murphy, Inc.! We understand how disconcerting it can be to encounter a large group of flying insects, which is why we offer fast response times and quick solutions geared toward long-term results. All of our technicians are fully licensed, certified, and well-versed in handling local pest species. Whatever problem you’re facing, our team knows how to come up with a personalized solution that will keep your property pest-free* for good. Contact us today for a free quote!

Recognizing Kissing Bugs in Tennessee

a close up of an orange and black kissing bug on a white background

Kissing bugs may sound charming, as if they were taken straight from a storybook. But upon learning more about their habits and behavior, they quickly lose their romantic appeal. The thought of a parasitic insect that bites and defecates on your face is the last thing to set off sparks.

Even worse, kissing bugs can be carriers of the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite through their feces, which can transmit Chagas disease. If left untreated, this illness can be very serious. With that in mind, it is crucial to identify and prevent kissing bugs through exclusion and extermination.

As of this writing, according to the Texas A&M Kissing Bug and Chagas’ Disease in the United States Community Science Project, kissing bugs have been found in 32 states, including Tennessee. 

What Kissing Bugs Look Like

The average kissing bug has an elongated, oval-shaped body, and typically measures between ¾ to 1¼ inches in length. They may be fully brown or black, but their abdomen may also have red, yellow, or tan splotches.

Originating in Mexico, Central and South America, kissing bugs have migrated to various locations in the Southern US as the climate has warmed. So while they aren’t native to Mid-South TN, they’ve been found here more and more in recent years. These insects are predominantly found outdoors, where they feed on both wild and domesticated animals. However, they can enter homes through open doors and windows.

How to Prevent Kissing Bugs

Good news – compared to other parasitic pests, it’s relatively rare for kissing bugs to infest homes in Mid-South TN. But you can still make an effort to prepare, just in case. It can be as simple as sealing gaps and cracks around your home and using screens to cover larger openings. This doesn’t just help deter kissing bugs, it also excludes a variety of other common pests. 

However, pest infestations can still happen, despite all the precautions we may take. If you find yourself dealing with a kissing bug infestation or any other type of bug problem, you can trust the team at Inman-Murphy, Inc. to handle it safely and effectively. Since 1999, we have been making pest prevention easy, and we can help you get rid of kissing bugs for good. Contact us today to get started!

TAP® Insulation: Your Path to a Pest-Free Home

silverfish on wall

There’s a lot you can do to deter pests around your home in the Mid-South TN area. You can de-clutter and properly store your garbage and dry goods. There are some DIY solutions that use essential oils to repel certain pests, or home renovation tactics that use screens or caulk to block others. These all can work to varying degrees, but is that all you can do? What if there was a way to always be killing pests without the need for traps? And what if you can fight pests while also making your home more comfortable and efficient? TAP Insulation makes all of this possible. It’s a form of home insulation beloved by certain pest control companies, and it’s a service we offer for households in Mid-South TN. If you’re ready to step up your pest control strategy with only one simple installation, Inman-Murphy, Inc. is here to help!

TAP® Insulation: A Basic Overview

TAP stands for Thermal, Acoustical, Pest Control insulation. It is made up of loose-fill cellulose that’s blown into the attics of existing home, or in the floors and walls of new builds. What separates TAP from other insulations like fiberglass or spray foam is how it’s been chemically treated with Boric acid. Boric acid is naturally occurring and is commonly used as a cleaning agent or in first aid, but it’s especially unique as being one of the most effective pesticides on the market today. It can kill a variety of bugs – including ants, silverfish and pill bugs – before they grow in numbers enough to truly infest your property.

The pests have easy access to the insulation – that’s how it starts. It coats their bodies, and since a majority of insect pests are surprisingly hygienic, they end up ingesting the boric acid when they groom themselves or each other. These insects are unable to pass the material, so they soon after die of dehydration or malnutrition. And just like that, you’ve solved a threat to the structure of your home with no effort on your part.

What TAP® Pest Control Insulation Can Do for You

Are there other benefits to TAP Insulation aside from its pest-killing properties? Yes, not only is TAP a persistent pesticide to insects as small as Formosan termites to larger cockroaches and beetles, it’s also a very good insulator. It’s made of cellulose, which slows the transfer of heat, keeping you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Your HVAC system will work better with less energy, and you’ll quickly see that reflected in your monthly utility bill.

Inman-Murphy, Inc. for Proper TAP® Insulation

TAP Insulation is not considered toxic for children, adults, or any pets in the household. However, you still need to take the effort to get the material installed by a qualified professional. At Inman-Murphy, Inc., we’ve been treating households in Mid-South TN for pests since 1999. It’s only one of our residential pest control services, all designed to keep your home pest-free* on an ongoing basis. We think our friends and neighbors deserve a constant defender that can put a stop to potential pest infestations without you having to lift a finger, and that’s exactly what you’ll get from TAP Insulation. We’ll still be there on the off chance you have an infestation, but when properly involved TAP can greatly reduce the risk. So if you want to work smarter instead of harder Inman-Murphy, Inc. is here to help. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an estimate!

Home Remedies to Repel Mice in Winter

A mouse crawls along a foundation of a home

As winter approaches, temperatures drop and everyone is just looking for ways to stay warm. This is true for local homeowners as well as pests, particularly rodents. Mice can enter your property through cracks or holes that are even just 5 mm wide (that’s less than ¼ inch) surrounding your property. Although they seem cute, mice are dirty, destructive animals that can harm your property and carry disease. 

If you have mice in your home, Inman-Murphy Termite & Pest Control has a group of skilled rodent exterminators who can get rid of your mouse infestation. But if you never developed a rodent problem in the first place, that would be preferable. Here are some methods and tools you can use that may help keep mice away. One word of caution: DIY pest repellents are not as effective as professional rodent control. If you have a rodent infestation, you should contact us for an estimate.

Non-toxic DIY Mouse Repellents

There are several types of simple-to-use DIY mouse repellents. They have the added benefit of being non-toxic. Here are four common strategies for attempting to keep mice away using items you might already have around the house:

Peppermint oil: Mice don’t generally like the strong aroma of peppermint. In order to prevent them from entering, you can put a few drops of the oil on cotton balls, and then scatter them about any potential access sites. Even better, plant mint throughout the perimeter of your property as a mouse-repellent barrier!

Another odor mice detest is that of apple cider vinegar. To preserve the repellent effect, mix it with vinegar and spray it once a month along the perimeter of your home and around potential access points.

Mice are unable to tolerate the scent of fabric softener sheets. Put one of the sheets inside any openings you find that you believe could be entry locations. 

Steel wool: Mice can chew through a variety of materials thanks to their strong incisors. But research has shown that they are unable to bite through steel wool. Therefore, if you use the material to cover potential access points, it will prevent them from entering your home.

How to Keep Mice Out

The likelihood of developing a mouse infestation is strongly influenced by whether or not your home is a desirable environment for rodents. When it’s chilly outside, mice want the same things any mammal does: food, shelter, and warmth. They’ll look for any means to sneak inside and stay there if your home has those attributes. This is why it’s important to start your mouse prevention efforts before it starts to get cold. Let’s look at some techniques you might adopt to deter rodents from entering your home:

  • Check the dark corners of your home’s interior frequently for evidence of mice.
  • Locate every potential point of access into your home and seal or close it
  • Keep food covered, sealed, and stored.
  • Remove clutter from your home, both inside and outside.

Mice won’t want to stay for very long if there isn’t easy access to food or a quiet, dark location to nest. 

When DIY Approaches Fail, Turn to Inman-Murphy

Even if you take all of these precautions, rodents might find their way into your house. If they do, we can help. Since 1999, we have offered rodent extermination services to homes and businesses in the Mid-South TN area. Our rodent pest control technicians are ready to get to work making your home rodent-free. Want to learn more? Get in touch with us today!

DIY Pest Control: 3 Major Risks

DIY pest control - an insecticide fogger spraying in a room

DIY pest control may seem like a good way to save money, time, and unnecessary hassle: You don’t have to choose, pay or wait around for a professional exterminator. You can simply purchase some pesticide products at your local hardware store and you’re ready to go. However, DIY pest control carries significant downsides. If you’re considering this approach, you need to make sure you understand the downsides so you can take steps to mitigate the risks.

What Are the Risks of DIY Pest Control?

Do-it-yourself pest control carries several different risks, including the effects of overusing pesticides, killing beneficial insects, and wasting money on ineffective pest control products. Misuse of pesticides is the most common cause of illness and injury from pest control but you could also be injured by pests themselves, like getting bitten or stung while applying pesticide.

Here are the three categories of major DIY pest control risks: 

Pesticide Exposure

Exposure to pesticides can cause adverse health effects, even when used correctly. Improper use of pesticides may lead to chemicals leaking into water supplies, the soil, and possibly the air inside your home. Many DIY pest control chemicals have the potential to contaminate the ground around your home if not used properly. It’s important to read instructions carefully and use the right amount for the right job. 

For example, pesticides should be kept away from food and water supplies to avoid contaminating or poisoning people. When applying exterior treatments, oftentimes people forget that fish, frogs, and other animals may be living in or around their backyard ponds. If the product is applied too closely to that water source, it can be harmful to all species that are using it. 

Another common example of misapplication in DIY pest control is that homeowners forget to look for open windows while applying products on the exterior of the home, sometimes exposing those inside without realizing it. Pesticides should also be stored out of the reach of children and pets so they don’t come into contact with them. If you’re spraying pesticides inside a home, it’s crucial to ensure there’s adequate ventilation to allow the chemicals to dissipate. 

Health and Safety Issues

There are several potential health and safety issues to be aware of when undertaking do-it-yourself pest control. For example, you should always wear protective clothing and gloves when handling pesticides and other chemicals. Pregnant women and young children should avoid entering areas where pesticides have been used. You should also wear protective equipment like a mask and eye goggles when you are working in areas where there might be pests or rodents. This will reduce the risk of getting bitten, stung or sick. You should also clean up any mess that pests leave behind so they don’t attract more pests. Some pest droppings can contain harmful bacteria or roundworms that can cause serious illness. Proper sanitation of areas should be done carefully and after sufficient research, if you aren’t aware of the possible risks involved. 

Negligence

There are situations where you can be held negligent or liable for your pest control practices. If you spray pesticide in a stuffy room or trap pests in a building without proper safety precautions, you could cause significant harm to other people creating civil and possibly even criminal liability. This is doubly true if you’re trying to eradicate a species of pest that’s protected by law.

Some products require you to vacate the area after application and you need to ensure that no one would come in contact with that product for the proper amount of time. 

Conclusion

While DIY pest control could save you money and time, it also comes with considerable risk. If you’re not careful, you could make things worse by harming yourself or other people with pesticides or getting bitten or stung by the pests you’re trying to eliminate. Professional pest control specialists know how to find the pests on your property, where they are coming from, how they got in, and how to stop them. Plus, they are trained to find the reasons why the pests are there and offer methods of preventing further infestations. 

With the integrated pest management approach, your professional pest technician will also be looking for ways to improve your landscaping and other habitats around the home. This will help lead to less pest activity over time. When factoring all of this in, hiring a professional exterminator is more effective and more efficient than a DIY approach.

Professional Pest Control in the Memphis Metro Area

Inman-Murphy, Inc. has been providing affordable effective pest control services in the Mid-South metro area since 1999. Before you do it yourself, contact us for a free quote!

Common Late Summer Pests

A mosquito

You might think that the late summer means the end of the pest problems you’ve been facing since early spring, but some pests are made for these conditions. With the right amount of warmth and plenty of people participating in outdoor activities, many kinds of insects and animals can find a meal or a suitable place to stay. If you want to make sure that pests don’t take over the last month of your summer, you have to be consciously preventative in your routines. Read on to learn about pests to avoid in Mid-South TN‘s late summers with Inman-Murphy, Inc.!

Common Late Summer Pests in Mid-South TN

There really is no season in which you can avoid pest problems outright. The late summer is a deceptively pest-ridden season because we often think of late spring and early summer as being the most problematic. However, these pests stick around to capitalize on the lingering warmth:

  • Bees and wasps: Bees, wasps, and many other kinds of stinging insects take advantage of heightened outdoor human activity during the late summer. They will not hesitate to stop by your cookout for a free meal or build a hive in your yard for a consistent and close by food source.
  • Ticks: These parasitic pests thrive in the warmth and growth that sticks around into August and September. Walking through tall grass or dense vegetation could put you in tick trouble.
  • Wildlife: Wild animals, especially those that hibernate during the winter, are out and about all summer looking for food and safe places to stay. Raccoons, possums, and squirrels are common offenders in the late summers here in Mid-South TN.
  • Mosquitoes: If mosquitoes are able to develop a consistent breeding population around your property, they can remain a serious nuisance all the way until temperatures drop below 50°F.

Preventing Pests in the Late Summer

While it should be stressed that severe pest infestations should always be taken care of by an expert, there are a few pertinent strategies you can try on your own to keep pest presence on your property at a minimum. Try the following:

  1. Keep a tidy yard: Trimming your trees and shrubs, quickly disposing of grass clippings and piles of vegetation, and decluttering in general will all discourage pests from looking for shelter in your yard.
  2. Look for cracks: Check around the outside of your home and structures on your property regularly for openings in roofing, siding, foundation, or around windows.
  3. Guard your trash: taking out your garbage regularly and using sealable lids on your outdoor trash bins can prevent many kinds of pests — most notably, wildlife.
  4. Eliminate standing water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so covering up or pouring out any that you find around your yard can cause mosquitoes to look elsewhere to breed and feed.

Expert Help with Summer Pests

If you think you’ve done everything you can to prevent pests without success, it’s time to reach out to your local exterminators. We are proud to employ only licensed, certified, and highly trained technicians here at Inman-Murphy, Inc.. Our pest experts have seen every kind of problem that develops in our area, so we can efficiently and effectively put together a plan to eliminate pest presence and keep your property pest-free* for good. Contact us today for a free quote!

Keeping Bees and Wasps Away Naturally

A bee hovers in front of a puple bellflower

If you’re spending time outside in the summer, you probably aren’t alone: wasps and bees are active in the summer in the Memphis Metro. A run-in with wasps or bees can be annoying, painful or even cause a serious allergic reaction. But how can you keep wasps and bees away without loading up on bug spray? Read on to learn how to naturally repel bees and wasps while you’re outdoors this summer!

Which Plants Attract Bees and Wasps? 

Since bees and wasps are pollinators, it’s no surprise they’re attracted to flowering plants. Here are some species of plants that bees and/or wasps are particularly fond of: 

  • Black-eyed Susan
  • Honeysuckle
  • Lantana
  • Lilacs
  • Perennial Yarrow
  • Poppies
  • Pale Purple Coneflower
  • Sweet Fennel
  • Wisteria
  • Queen Anne’s Lace
  • Sedum
  • Snapdragon
  • Sunflowers

If any of these plants are growing near your home, consider relocating them further away on your property. Especially if they’re close to an outdoor space that you use often. 

Which Plants Repel Bees and Wasps?

Just because they’re pollinators doesn’t mean bees and wasps like all flowering plants. The scent of the following plants repel bees and wasps:

  • Basil
  • Citronella
  • Geraniums
  • Marigolds
  • Peppermint
  • Spearmint
  • Thyme
  • Wormwood

Just as moving plants that attract stinging insects helps keep them away from your home, so does adding plants that repel them. Particularly, if they’re near outdoor spaces like patios. 

Stinging Insects and Food

Whether it’s barbecues, picnics or s’mores, eating outside is a quintessential part of summer. This can be an issue because stinging insects are attracted to food. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the chance that an uninvited guest with a stinger will ruin your outdoor eating experience:

  • Pack up and throw away food and trash as soon as possible after finishing. 
  • When you put food or food-soiled trash in a trash can, close the lid securely.
  • Wasps love sugary drinks. Close or cover your beverage to keep them out.

Bees and wasps are attracted to many types of foods and ingredients. However, like with plants, there are some food items that repel stinging insects, including: 

  • Bay Leaves
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Sliced Cucumber
  • Vinegar

Since these can be found in most grocery stores and are inexpensive (often less expensive than a store-bought insect spray), they make a practical all-natural pest repellent. Just pour, slice or sprinkle them into a container that you keep near you or your outdoor space.

How to Keep Bees & Wasps Away with Essential Oils

A more portable and less passive way to keep stinging insects away naturally is to make a pest repellent spray using essential oils. Bees and wasps dislike the smell of these essential oils:

  • Citronella oil
  • Clove oil
  • Eucalyptus oil
  • Geranium oil
  • Peppermint oil
  • Rosemary oil

Simply combine essential oil and water at a ratio of two drops of essential oil per ounce of water to make a natural insect repellent. Pour the mixture it in a spray bottle and you’re all set. 

Best Bee and Wasp Exterminators in the Memphis Metro

Natural pest repellents can help keep wasps or bees away from your home. However, they won’t be enough to deal with a serious infestation. In that case, you may need to hire a local exterminator to get rid of the bees or wasps on your property. Inman-Murphy has been providing exterminator services in the Memphis Metro since 1999. If you’re looking for safe, effective bee, wasp and hornet removal, call us today for a free quote!