Summer Pests: Are You Prepared?

06/22/2014


Ants    Mosquitoes    Ticks   

Ants

One of the most common pests here in the DC area are ants. While ants in Maryland are not known to carry any diseases or pose much risk to humans, they can really be annoying. You can smoosh, and crush hundreds but unless you eliminate the entire colony, the ants will keep coming back. There are some things you can do this summer in order to prevent ants from moving in with you in the first place.

  • Trim back greenery and shrubs from doors or windows near your home.

  • Check the exterior of your home for cracks and crevices and seal them up.

  • Make sure your screens do not have any holes and your doors latch properly.

  • In the rooms inside of your home, especially the kitchen, be sure to thoroughly dispose of crumbs or other food particles and wipe any liquid spills.

  • Store trash bins and recyclables as far from your home as possible.

Unfortunately, once you have an ant problem, getting rid of them on your own can feel next to impossible. The good news is, there are professionals like American Pest who can help you. We have trained technicians who can help you eliminate the entire ant colony and then prevent the formation of any new ant colonies.

Mosquitoes

Most people you ask would say mosquitoes are one of the worst pests this time of year. From their obnoxious buzzing to the itchy red bites, to say they are a major pain is an understatement. While there is no way to get rid of them entirely, there are some things we can do to minimize them.

  • Eliminate standing water wherever possible. Empty any buckets or bins that may have water in them and try to water your lawn in the morning so it’s not sitting damp overnight.

  • Make sure all of your storm drains are cleaned out.

  • Wear bug repellent with DEET.

  • Try to keep skin covered as much as possible.

  • Keep trash and recyclables as far from your home and yard as possible.

  • If you eat outside or grill out, make sure all food scraps are cleaned up and disposed of.

If the above methods are proving to be unsuccessful, American Pest can help you with your mosquito problem. Our trained professionals inspect for mosquito breeding areas and perform targeted treatments in order to eliminate the existing mosquitoes around your home.

Ticks

If mosquitoes weren’t enough to make you want to stay inside rather than getting out and enjoying the summer, ticks can be. MD ticks consume blood and they bite humans and pets. These pests are credited with the spread of Lyme Disease which often produces flu-like symptoms in victims. These symptoms can get worse over time, especially if they go untreated. Hikers and individuals who enjoy strolling through woody areas should be very careful. Ticks like to hang out in tall grasses and shrubby vegetation along the edges of hiking and walking trails. To prevent tick bites, wear protective clothing when participating in hiking activities in woody environments and try to keep your pants tucked into your socks. Avoid walking pets in tall grasses or weeds and make sure you wear shoes outside. Check yourself and your pets once you return inside. A tick usually has to be attached for a while in order to transmit Lyme Disease, so frequent checks can be vital in preventing the disease. It is also a good idea to regularly wash pet bedding and plush toys to prevent the possibility of a bite.

If ticks or any other summer pests have become a problem for you, your family or your home, American Pest is ready to help! Give us a call today so you can get back to your summer, minus the bugs!

This blog was originally published on July 16, 2013 and has been updated to reflect the most up to date information in helping you deal with troublesome summer pests.

 






 
 
 

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