Now that spring is here and summer is right around the corner, many people will begin planning outdoor social events. Whether your plans involve a wedding, a graduation party, a community gathering, or a simple picnic with family and friends, it is important to plan ahead to ensure uninvited guests do not show up. Certain types of insects are known as being more ‘social’ than others and in addition to being a nuisance, they can pose a threat big enough to ruin whatever outdoor activities you might have planned. At Pointe Pest Control, we help to protect you and your guests by taking the steps needed to eliminate these creatures. The following outlines some of the more common social insects in our area, the risks they pose to you and your visitors, and what you can do to avoid them.
Social Insects That Can Wreak Havoc In & Around Your Home
While there are many different pests that operate on their own and lead solitary lives, there are also common types of bugs and insects that are known as being more social in their behaviors. Referred to as eusocial insects, they can quickly infest outdoor areas, ruining any spring or summer activities you may have planned.
Social insects typically live and work together in a brood, sharing the division of labor. There is likely to be a queen who regularly reproduces, while other members of the colony spend their time focused on different tasks. There are three different types of social insects in our area that are likely to make an appearance in and around your home or business:
- Ants
There is nothing worse than preparing an outdoor picnic or cookout only to have ants appear as uninvited guests. Researchers have uncovered close to 100 different types of ants in Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas and when left to their own devices, individual colonies can easily reach more than a million members. They can descend so quickly and in such great numbers that they may inhibit you from ever enjoying a meal outside. They can also invade inside, showing up at the first sign of spilled food or beverages.
Unfortunately, in addition to ruining your appetite, they can also do a significant amount of harm to your home and outdoor structures. Carpenter ants can be particularly destructive as they feast on wood and other home building materials.
- Bees and Wasps
While there has been a good amount of attention given to honeybees and the important work they do in pollinating crops, the fact is that they can still create a nuisance at outdoor events and often strike fear into the hearts of guests. In many cases, this is for good reason. Numerous people are allergic to bee stings and experience reactions ranging from mild swelling to partial paralysis and difficulty breathing. Wasps can be an even bigger problem. Whereas a bee’s stinger becomes stuck in your skin, enabling them to only strike once, wasps have the ability to retract their stingers. This means they can sting you multiple times, each time infecting you with venom that can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness.
In addition to causing fear of being stung after encountering a nest, carpenter bees can pose additional problems for home and business owners. Burrowing their way into decks, porches, and pavilions, they leave a trail of sawdust and can do permanent damage to these structures.
- Termites
In terms of causing structural damages, no insect species is viewed with as much apprehension by home or building owners as termites. While they are likely to go unnoticed by your guests at outdoor events, they can easily ruin the structures you use for hosting special occasions. While an initial buyer’s inspection can reveal damage from past infestations, it is important to be vigilant about termites as they can be easily transported via wood furniture and outdoor materials, such as yard fencing or landscaping mulch.
Prevent Social Insects From Ruining Your Outdoor Activities With Our Local Pest Control Experts
To keep social insects from ruining your outdoor activities, contact Point Pest Control and request a free inspection. We can thoroughly check your property and any surrounding areas to ensure events you are hosting are pest free. We offer fast, effective solutions to safely address the current problem while preventing pests from returning in the future. Call or contact us online today to discuss how we can help you.