Eight Pest Control Tips for Summer

There are so many things to love about summer—warm weather, longer days, backyard BBQs, and visits to the pool and beach.  But with summer also comes undesirable pests such as ants, mosquitos, flies, and gnats.  The last place you want these uninvited visitors in your house.  Not only are they a nuisance, but they can pose a threat to your health if left untreated.

After a long winter, insects and rodents are looking for new sources of food, water, and shelter in the spring and summer.  The warmer temperatures are a signal for them to come out of hibernation and reproduce.  The following eight tips will help keep pests outside where they belong and from ruining your summer.

1. Keep Your Kitchen Clean. Ants love a spill, especially a sweet one. Since these pests have over 400 odor receptors, they are able to detect food smells well.  Clean up any spills immediately to keep these pests from congregating.  Make sure to sweep up or vacuum any crumbs and wipe down the counters and take out the garbage regularly.  Although it is tempting, don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight.  Once ants are in the house, they are difficult to get rid of so try to discourage them from entering at all.
2. Eliminate Food Sources. Cockroaches are notorious for finding food sources, especially inside homes.  These insects can carry bacteria and pathogens that are harmful to humans.  Similar to keeping ants at bay, reduce the chance for these pests to make an appearance by storing food in sealed containers and keeping food off of the counters.  Fruits and veggies should be stored in the refrigerator when possible—do not allow them to rot on the countertop which can attract not only roaches but fruit flies.  Cockroaches feed at night so this is another reason to do the dishes before going to bed.
3. Check Windows and Doors. Tiny critters can enter your home through gaps in windows and doors.  Check all windows to make sure they seal completely and that your screens do not have tears or holes.  You can easily patch a hole in the screen yourself with a piece of screening material.  The seams on doors should also be sealed completely.
4. Be Smart with Outdoor Lights. Be mindful when placing new outdoor lights.  By putting an outdoor light near the door, but not right above it, bugs that are drawn to light such as moths and flies will not come into the house when you do.
5. Clean Up the Yard. Certain pests like mosquitos breed in areas where there is standing water.  Make sure there is none on your property such as in your air conditioning unit or in any planters.  Cut back any overgrowth so bugs will not be encouraged to build nests there.  You should also inspect any furniture that was stored for the winter for spiders and other insect nests.
6. Cut the Grass. Some bugs such as ticks gravitate toward tall grasses.  Certain types of pests are dangerous because they are carriers of diseases such as Lyme disease.  Keep the grass cut short to discourage them from attaching to grass and then transferring to a host like a human or pet.
7. Check the Pipes. Centipedes love to live in humid areas, such as the basement or bathroom.  To prevent them from getting in, fix any leaking pipes that lead to moisture, which centipedes like. They also gravitate toward paper or rotten wood so make sure your house is free from these types of items.
8. Fill in the Cracks. All homes settle creating places for pests to get in. Pests can enter the home through gaps in the vents and chimneys.  Cover and fix any entry points where pests can enter the home.   Repair any cracks in the ceiling or walls.

Since pests are in full force in the summer, homeowners need to prevent them from entering the house.  Hiring a pest control service is the fastest and easiest way to get rid of unwanted visitors in your home and keep them out.

You’re Trusted Partner

At Ronk Home Services, we provide expert handyman solutions and specialize in the installation of MRCOOL Mini-splits, serving Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom, Island, San Juan, and King Counties. Our team is dedicated to delivering top-notch service and ensuring your home remains comfortable and efficient year-round. Contact us today at 360.395.2550 to learn more about our services and how we can assist you with your home improvement needs.