Summer is almost here, and that means enjoying time outdoors, planning BBQs, and… dealing with summer pests! That’s right, this time of year, mosquitoes, ants, and other critters seem to be everywhere! In fact, in 2019, Chicago ranked the fourth worst state in the country for mosquito problems! These pests get the worst after the temperatures hit 80 degrees or higher, so now is the time to take action. If you don’t want pests to ruin your summer fun, keep reading. We’ve got all of the summer pest control tips you need to enjoy your time indoors and out all summer long.
1. Shore Up Your Home
To make sure you don’t end up with bugs in your home, the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure you’ve blocked off any points of entry. Look around your windows and doors to see if there are any gaps that need to be filled and replace window stripping if it’s worn down.
Inspect your screens and repair or replace any that have holes. In the evenings, it’s always nice to let the cool breeze in, so make sure you’re prepared to keep the bugs out.
2. Keep Your Kitchen Clean
Warmer weather can bring ants, roaches, and other bugs into the house looking for food. Make sure they don’t find any by keeping your kitchen as clean as possible. Even just a few crumbs on the counter or floor can serve as an awesome feast for hungry bugs.
Every time you prepare or eat food in the kitchen, take the time to wipe down the counters, sweep the floors, and put food away as soon as you’re done with it. It’s also a good idea to take your trash outside at least every couple of days.
3. Eliminate Standing Water
One of the best ways to prevent mosquitoes is to ensure that there’s no standing water where they can breed. Check for puddles in places like around your AC unit and in your rain spouts. Don’t leave dog water dishes sitting out, bring kids’ toys inside, and consider emptying that birdbath.
If your yard has low spots where puddles accumulate, consider adding drainage to get rid of this problem as well.
4. Clean Up Your Yard
Yards that are messy aren’t just an eyesore, they could also be contributing to your pest problem. Overgrown trees and bushes, especially if they’re near the house, can lead to indoor pest issues.
You’ll also want to rake up dead leaves and pull weeds. Not only is this a great spring cleaning project, it’s also a very effective summer pest control method.
5. Be Careful with Your Trash
While you’ll want to take the trash out regularly, be careful when dealing with meat. Unless the trash will be picked up within 48-hours, it’s better to keep meat indoors. Otherwise, if it starts to rot under hot temperatures, unwanted pests will start to show up in your yard at an alarming rate!
6. Store Your Firewood Properly
If you keep firewood too close to your home, you may end up with termites. This isn’t just annoying; they can cause some serious damage to your home! To prevent this, make sure wood piles are at least five feet away from your home or shed.
The five-foot rule is a minimum. If you can keep it (much!) further away, then go ahead and do so. You’ll also want to store it on racks that are elevated off the ground.
7. Inspect Your Outdoor Furniture
If you have an outdoor swing, a children’s paly set, or any type of patio furniture, it’s important to inspect it regularly. This is the best way to catch spider egg sacks before they can hatch. Regularly knocking down spider webs can also help encourage them to move on to other places instead of multiplying near your home.
8. Make Sure You Don’t Bring Pests Indoors
It’s common for kids to leave their toys outside. Before you bring them in, make sure you wipe them down and/or spray them off with the hose. If you can, try to designate certain toys only for outdoor or indoor use so you don’t have to worry about this issue day after day.
9. Inspect Your Pets
It’s also common for cats and dogs to bring summer pests into the house. Every day, make sure to inspect them for the presence of ticks. If you find any, carefully remove them right away.
You’ll also want to make sure that all family pets are on a flea preventative medication. Trust us, once you get fleas in your house, it’s a nightmare to get rid of them. So save yourself the hassle and keep them from taking hold in the first place.
10. Know When to Call in the Pros
Lastly, it’s always a good idea to have your home and your yard regularly treated by a professional pest control company. This will help ensure that pest problems don’t end up getting out of control.
When DIY Pest Control Tips Aren’t Enough, We Can Help!
These simple summer pest control tips should help annoying bugs away. However, if you’re practicing all of the proper pest control methods and the steps you’re taking don’t seem to help, it’s time to call in the pros!
Whether you need residential or commercial pest control, we can help. Whether you’re dealing with rodents, mosquitoes, bedbugs, or other common summer pests, we’ll take care of it for you. Contact us today to discuss your pest problems and schedule an appointment.