Preventative Pest Control: How to Avoid Bug Infestations During the Summer

With Summer in full midst and keeping us company over the next two months, you may be wondering what you can do to keep the pests at bay. Summer, with its glorious sunshine, activities and picnics unfortunately also attracts welcomed guests such as ants, cockroaches and mosquitoes. If you’re looking to keep these unwanted (and sometimes downright annoying) guests at bay, then you’ve come to the right place. Today, we look at 5 ingenious ways in which you can avoid bug infestations during the Summer, so read on to find out more!

Ants, Ants, Go Away

Without a doubt, one of the most problematic bugs in the Summer months are ants. Many species of ants often end up both in backyards, patios and even indoors if preventative measures are not put into place. According to pest control experts in Albury, ant infestations can lead to painful stings and can even damage the structure of your home. The solution? Ensure that you keep all your shrubs and bushes well maintained in the Summer months and be sure to seal any cracks or holes that may exist in your home’s exterior. Making sure that you kitchen is free from crumbs, spills and uncovered food items is also a fantastic way to ensure that ants don't enter your home and take over your entire pantry.

Bye Bye Mozzies!

Considering Summer is the height of mosquito season, it is no surprise that we find them plentiful in the warmer months. Aside from biting you and being annoying, mosquitoes are also capable of spreading dangerous diseases that can even cause death, such as Malaria, Dengue and Zika. One of the best ways to ensure that you keep the mozzies away is to pay attention to your flower pots, gutters and any area in the home where still water can collect. Standing water is a prime location for mozzies to lay their eggs, so always ensure that you’re on the lookout for potential breeding spots. You should also ensure that you replace or fix any torn window screens that may offer an entry point into your home.

Terrible Termites

Termites are wood destroying pests that can prove to be incredibly destructive to the integrity of your home’s structure. Often considered a silent pest, termites can also cause allergies and asthma attacks to flare up. Because of the warm temperature, summer is the best season for termites to both swarm and breed. Avoiding having any type of wood (including mulch), branches or building materials close to your home is an excellent preventative measure against these infuriating insects.

Bed Bugs and Fleas

No one wants to think about these blood sucking creatures, but the truth remains that bed bugs and fleas often are most active in the summer months. These pests can remain dormant and live for up to 1 year without feeding, only to awaken and cause destruction once we are greeted with warmer temperatures. In order to keep these unwelcome guests away, always ensure that you keep your pets clean and apply flea treatment every 6 months. When it comes to bed bugs, it is important that you regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor. If you’re an avid traveller, sanitising and and cleaning your suitcase is also a great way to ensure that you avoid the spread of bed bugs from your luggage to your home.

General Tips For Keeping Pests Away in Summer

• Control the moisture levels in and around your home to reduce the chances of termites, ants and mosquitoes festering.

• Trim tree branches back to allow the sun to dry any areas of damp soil.

• Keep leaves on your property raked up.

• Remove any containers or buckets that could hold standing water; it only takes 120ml of water for mosquitoes to breed.

• Seal any bags of bread, sugar, rice or other food products at all times.

• Store rubbish in trash cans with sealing lids and thoroughly clean bins out every few weeks.

• If you are having trouble keeping pests at bay, we highly recommend enlisting the help of a professional pest control service.

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With a little pre-planning and thought, keeping those unwanted bugs away during the warm Summer months is a breeze. We hope that this article has given you some new ideas and methods which you can apply to ensure that your Summer isn’t dampened by an army of creepy crawlies.