Summer is prime time for barbecues, backyard parties, and lazy evenings outdoors. However, those events tend to attract some annoying pint-sized party crashers.
Ants, mosquitoes, stinging insects, and other summer pests can turn a perfect day into an irritating mess. But with a little preparation and regular upkeep, you can keep your yard and home from becoming an insect free-for-all.
Ants love an open invitation, and nothing says “Come on in!” like food left out during a cookout. If you see one ant, there are probably hundreds more nearby. They leave scent trails to share good news with the rest of the colony, which is why they often march in neat lines straight to your kitchen or patio table.
To cut them off at the pass, keep food sealed tight and clean up thoroughly after meals, both indoors and out. Soap and water will erase their scent trails, and sealing up cracks around windows or doorways will limit how they get in. For an extra indoor barrier, try sprinkling diatomaceous earth around entry points. This natural, non-toxic powder is harmless to people and pets but it quickly dries out ant exoskeletons, so ants steer clear of it.
Mosquitoes only require half an inch of standing water to start a family. Walk your yard after rain and dump anything that holds water: flowerpot saucers, birdbaths, buckets, even kids’ toys. Clean out gutters and keep lids on trash and recycling bins. If you have a birdbath, change the water at least twice a week to keep the larvae at bay.
Ticks thrive in tall grass and wooded areas, and they can carry Lyme disease and other serious illnesses. If you’re hiking, wear long sleeves, pants, and a hat or bandana, and tuck pant legs into your socks. Use insect repellent for extra protection. At home, keep the lawn trimmed and clear out brushy or overgrown areas where ticks like to lurk.
Bees, wasps, and other stingers become most active in late summer, especially around sugary drinks and trash. Keep garbage cans tightly sealed and don’t walk around the yard barefoot, especially near clover or fallen fruit. If you store firewood, keep it well away from the house, since it makes a cozy nest site for wasps.
Regular home maintenance is your best defense here. Gaps in siding, loose soffits, and crevices around your home’s exterior are all potential nesting sites. Rodent burrows in the yard can also attract wasps, so fill them in when you find them.
If you spot a nest or hive, don’t go it alone. Wasp and bee removal experts have the right tools and training to safely handle the job. Afterward, seal up the area so future pests don’t move in.
A little vigilance goes a long way in keeping your summer bug-free, and your gatherings a lot more enjoyable.
