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5 of the Most Common Summer Pests in the South

Lots of people head south for the summer for beach vacations, camping, family reunions and, of course, Disney World. But there are also a lot of unwanted visitors – millions of bugs. The south is known for a lot of things, and summer insects are one of them.

We southerners love being outdoors, but we can definitely do without all the bugs. If you want to steer clear of pesky insects and avoid expensive infestations, it’s important to take preventative steps at the start of summer.

Mosquitoes

Summers in the south are marked by the return of mosquitoes. The hot, humid region of the southeast is the perfect environment for mosquitoes to thrive. The insect experts at Moxie Pest Control note that mosquitoes are the biggest pest problem during the summer because they spread disease.

Mosquitoes are what is known as a vector. That means they can transmit certain diseases to the people and animals they bite. Another big issue is that mosquitoes replicate very quickly, and all a mosquitoes need to lay eggs is an inch of standing water.

That’s why the first line of attack is to remove any standing water from your yard. Make sure the gutters are working properly and that drainage throughout the yard is adequate. Once that’s done put out a few mosquito traps to kill off the adults. It’s a good idea to follow up with a mosquito control treatment to get rid of any lingering bugs that are looking for a meal.

Stinging Insects

If you aren’t getting bite by mosquitoes, you may be swatting away insects that sting instead. Bees, wasps and hornets are all in abundance in the south during the summer. Part of the problem is many stinging insects have to start new colonies each year. The process starts in the spring and by summer colonies are in full swing with as many as 1,000 workers buzzing around.

Hornets and yellow jackets can be particularly problematic because they are social stingers. They are more aggressive than other stinging insects since they are hardwired to protect their colony from even the slightest threat.

Look for nests under eaves and up in trees. Homeowners can handle these types of nests on their own, but it’s safest to have a professional do the work. If you’ve noticed yellow jackets inside that could be a sign that there’s a colony within one of the walls. This will definitely require the help of a professional pest control company.

Currently, there’s a growing problem with a decline in the bee population so it’ best to leave them alone. If you have a serious bee problem on your property or someone in your family is allergic, it’s time to call in the pros. A pest control company that’s experienced in bee removal can move the colony to a safe area away from your home.

Ants

Another stinging, biting insect to watch out for is ants. Across the south you can see mounds growing with each passing day. Not only are ants a painful pest, they can ruin picnics and bar-be-cues, and some species (carpenter ants) can actually do structural damage to a home.

One of the easiest ways to control ants is to keep things clean around your property. Ants are always on the look out for food. Clean up carefully after outdoor dinners and make sure trash containers are tightly sealed at all times.

When you spot an ant mound there are a lot of ways to take it down. One of the easiest options is diatomaceous earth (DE). Just sprinkle it around the ant mound. Eventually, the ants will eat the DE, which dehydrates them to death. But it’s safe for people and pets.

Termites

Spring is when you’re most likely to see termites since they are mating. They fly together in large swarms, getting busy and looking for new places to start a colony. During the summer the colonies will grow as the queen continues to lay eggs.

Needless to say, if you see termites around your home (they look like ants with wings) you should call an expert immediately. Termites can do significant structural damage if left untreated, and they can be difficult to remove once they’re inside the walls.

Fleas

Your pets will show the first signs of a flea problem. Once you see them biting, scratching and rubbing up against whatever they can find it’s past time to take action. Pets can easily bring the fleas inside and make the problem twice as worse.

First things first – get your dogs and cats a good flea collar or treatment. One of the most cost effective and convenient options is the Seresto flea collar, which lasts for up to eight months. If you still have a flea problem after treating your pets, you may need to get a professional treatment around the exterior and interior of your home.

 

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