There are some types of pests that you will see more of during the summer months. Some of the pests that tend to show up more during the summer have their life cycle and activity level tied to the temperature – the warmer temps are what they need to thrive. Other pests are active all year long but seem more prevalent in the summer because of human activity. Four types of pests that you are likely to see more of during the summer months include flies, mosquitoes, ants, and bed bugs.
Flies
It is easy to think of flies as a simple annoyance. They do not cause itchy bumps to show up on your skin and they are not venomous, so what’s the big deal? The problem is that flies often spend their time in some pretty nasty places – they typically develop near decaying matter. This means that the fly in your house may have recently be on manure or a decaying animal carcass. When a fly lands on your plate, the bacteria from the last place it was can be transferred to the food you are about to eat. Flies can also leave bacteria on the surfaces inside your home. The warm weather in the summer makes it easier for fly larvae to mature and for flies to thrive which is why you see more of them this time of year.
Mosquitoes
It is probably no surprise that mosquitoes are more prevalent during the summer. Mosquitoes depend on the warm weather in order to survive. In fact, mosquito eggs can stay in stagnant water for months waiting for the weather to warm enough for them to finish developing. When the weather is warm, the lifecycle of the mosquito speeds up which means that a mosquito problem near your home can grow quickly. Mosquitoes can be dangerous because of their ability to spread disease to humans. In order to protect yourself and your family you need to take steps to protect against mosquitoes this summer.
Ants
Ants are known for being constant uninvited guests at summertime picnics. These tiny pests are known for showing up any time there is food around. In the summer it is not uncommon to see a line of ants marching toward a forgotten scrap of food on the ground. The warmer weather causes ant activity to pick up. Most ants are simply on the search for food and have an amazing ability to find their way into houses for a snack.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs are active all year long but summer is a time of year when people are likely to develop a bed bug infestation. The reason for the seeming increase of bed bug activity during the summer is because of travel. When you go on vacation it increases your chances of getting a bed bug infestation. Hotels, airplanes, buses, and other places where a lot of people pass through can easily become infested with bed bugs. If you stay at a hotel with bed bugs you may unknowingly bring some of them back home with you on your luggage and clothing.
Pest activity and summertime are two things that seem to go hand in hand. The best way to limit pest activity in and around your home is to work with a pest control professional. You can set up preventative pest control services and stop pests from becoming a problem at your home during the summer months.