The Ultimate Guide to Summer Pest Prevention

Summer is infamous for being the most active season for pests, which can make the heat and humidity feel even more unbearable. There is nothing like trying to cool off and enjoy some summertime activities, only for some kind of tiny critter to ruin the fun by invading your space. Thankfully, there are plenty of everyday ways to prevent pests from taking over your life in the summer. Whether you are trying to enjoy a nice backyard barbecue or relax in your air conditioned house, Green Pest Services has the prevention advice for you! Let’s explore some of the most effective prevention tactics from 6 main activities and components of the summer season. 

Food

Of course, food is a necessary component of every season (and really, every day). However, it is even more essential to be mindful of food storage and preparation in the summer. Pests are already more active than ever, so any available food is going to be an immediate target for every invasive species. It just takes a little extra care to prevent pests from ruining your food and drinks, and these tasks are great habits to implement for a pest-free home all year long.

• Store Opened Food – If you take anything away from this list, it should be this tip. We highly recommend storing all opened food items in sealed containers. There are plenty of pests that love our food, with the most common being ants, rodents, cockroaches, and wasps. Containers with lids and airtight seals are far less likely to be invaded than plastic bags and cardboard boxes, as some of these pests can chew through those materials. Once you open a bag of chips or a box of cereal, you can pour the contents into a sealable container for maximum freshness and protection from devious pests.

• Do the Dishes – Washing dishes may be one of the most tedious chores in existence, but it is also one of the best ways to prevent pests. The food residue on dirty dishes can draw in pests, like ants and roaches, that have an excellent sense of smell. It is not necessary to wash dishes the second you finish a meal, but it is a good idea to clear out the sink before you go to bed every night. Plus, this means you won’t be staring at a stack of dirty dishes first thing in the morning! 

• Take Out the Trash – It is amazing how quickly a trash can will fill up after a party or a family meal. When the kitchen trash can is full, we recommend taking it out as soon as possible. This will minimize the amount of time that the odor lingers and attracts pests, as well as remove the major attractants of rotten food and leftovers. Speaking of, it is also a good idea to throw out any overripe fruit and vegetables that will not be repurposed in a dish. Fruit flies live off of rotten produce and will invade in droves if the food is not removed from the kitchen.

Air Conditioning

The perfect medicine for a hot summer day is a reliable air conditioner. Believe it or not, pests can even cause problems for your A/C. If they get into the vents and ducts, pests can damage your air conditioner to the point of needing extensive repairs – never mind the damage they can do if they get into the house itself. When it comes to A/C units, it is important to make sure both it and your house are in tip-top shape in order to prevent pests from destroying your source of cool air. Also, many A/C warranties will not protect against pest damage, so it is much more economical to stay vigilant against pests than to wait and see if anything happens. 

• Check All Screens – When you are not running the A/C, you may be opening your windows to let in the warm summer breeze. It is essential to make sure that the screens are in great condition before you open up your home. Check each window and door screen for any holes and tears, then patch up all imperfections with extra screen material. If there are too many holes to justify patching each one, you might consider replacing the entire screen to make it easier.

• Check for Gaps – Any other cracks and gaps in the house need to be repaired as soon as possible, as these are the most frequently-used entry points that pests use. Just think of how small insects are, and it is easy to see how any imperfections in the house exterior can be exploited by invasive pests. Some of the key places to inspect include the weather stripping, foundation, and around all doors and windows. Seal cracks with caulk, and stuff copper mesh in larger gaps before sealing with caulk. 

• Check for Nests – As for the A/C unit itself, the most important (pest-related) factor to keep an eye on is any nesting activity. Rodents can nest in the ducts and chew on the wires, which becomes a fire hazard. Wasps also like to nest within the air vents and idle drainage pipes because these areas are cool and safe. Check the vents and ducts for any signs of nesting at least a couple times a year. If you are not comfortable checking these areas yourself, you can always have a professional inspection done by air conditioning specialists.  

Pool

For the homeowners who are fortunate enough to have a swimming pool, it can be both a blessing and a curse. The obvious blessing is having a backyard oasis in which to cool off on a hot summer day, while the curse is having to maintain said oasis year-round. A properly-maintained pool will not only provide a more enjoyable swimming experience, it will also be more resistant to invasive pests that would love to enjoy a dip in the pool as well.

• Clean the Surface – If you have a pool, you probably already do this as a daily chore in the summer. Never underestimate the importance of using an extendable net to clean the surface of the water! This clears the pool of any leaves, twigs, flowers, and general debris that could clog the filters and attract insects. Aquatic insects love living near natural debris for extra protection and food, so they are more likely to invade a cluttered pool. 

• Check the Filters – This is another common task that pool owners already do, but it is still worth mentioning. Check the filters for any large items that could be clogging the system, as this will negatively impact the functionality of the pool. Some pests, such as rodents and gophers, like to hide in these filters since they can continue to feed and stay cool. So take caution next time you look into the filters because you could find yourself face-to-face with a hidden pest!

• Clean Up Snacks – After enjoying some fun pool snacks, make sure to clean up all trash and food remnants before calling it a day. Any crumbs and leftover food items will easily draw in pests, who can then camp out by the pool to stay cool and cause problems. All of the classic pool snacks – popsicles, sandwiches with chips, cheddar fish-shaped crackers – will attract hungry pests if left out, so cleaning up all food and trash is essential. 

Pets

Our furry friends make every day just a little bit better, and they deserve to have the best care in the heat of the summer. Dogs and cats are more at risk of experiencing pest issues, especially biting pests, in the summer because they typically spend more time outside. This can lead to lasting pest problems in the home if the pests decide that they want to explore their surroundings. 

• Remove Dishes – Once your pet finishes their meal, moving their food bowl is an easy yet important task to complete. This is especially true if they eat outside. Yellow jackets, aka meat bees, are notorious for hovering around pet food dishes that stay in the same spot for too long. Keep your pet’s food dish stored in a cool, dry place in between meal times. If you still find yellow jackets around the dish, try feeding your pet in a completely different area to throw the yellow jackets off the scent of the pet food. 

• Check for Pests – In between petting the soft fur of our dogs and cats, it is a great idea to check them for any hitchhiking pests. Fleas and ticks frequently hide in the folds of our pets’ fur since they can continuously feed without being easily detected. After your pet spends a lot of time outside, run your hands through their fur to check for any insects or bumps, especially around the neck and tail. This is the most essential after you take your pet hiking or camping, as it is very common for pets to gain a little hitchhiker during these trips. 

• Vacuum – Yet another boring chore, vacuuming is essential in keeping a tidy home that is less likely to experience pest problems. When you have a cat or dog that spends a lot of time lounging around the house, it is even more important to vacuum often. Make sure to target their favorite areas, like particular sections of the carpet and their beds. If any mites, fleas, or bed bugs have made their way into these spots, the vacuum will efficiently give them the boot. 

• Change Water – Whether your pet spends more time inside or outside, it is essential that they have fresh water. The water needs to be changed often for a few reasons. For one, your dog or cat needs cool water to stay hydrated during the hottest days of the season. For another, idle water dishes can attract some frustrating pests. Mosquitoes place their eggs in fresh water, where the larvae will spend all of their time until they grow into adults. Check your pet’s water for any small insects and change out the water often, especially on the hottest days.

Barbecues

There is nothing like enjoying a full meal right off the grill. The possibilities are endless when it comes to grilling food, since barbecues are not just for meat anymore. At your next backyard barbecue, you could serve a meal that is fully grilled (meat, baked potatoes, vegetables, dessert) just to show off your barbecue prowess! Unfortunately, humans are not the only species that enjoy barbecued foods…

• Clean After Parties – As with any summer activity, it is essential to clean up all trash and leftover food immediately afterwards. This includes all wrappers, bags, cans, bottles, paper plates, and napkins. If you are hosting multiple friends and family, it is a good idea to leave a trash can out in the party area. This makes it easy for your guests to dispose of their trash throughout the party, so all you have to do is sweep and clean the grill before heading inside.

• Clean the Grill – Once the party is over and the barbecue is completely cooled off, the next step is to thoroughly clean the grill. There should not be any food residue or crumbs left after you finish cleaning, so keep that in mind as you scrub the grill. You can purchase a good brush from any hardware store, and there are plenty of online tutorials on how to properly clean the barbecue if this is your first summer with your very own grill.

• Store the Grill Properly – Once the grill is completely cool (no fire hazards here!) and cleaned, the final step is to store it properly before your next use. A common place is to push the grill against the house where it will be in the shade most of the day. If it is left out in the sun and away from people, wasps will typically invade and hang out as long as the grill is idle. 

Landscaping

The blue skies and green plants are the bright hues that make every summer so picturesque. But a beautiful yard doesn’t appear overnight, as maintaining all of the greenery takes time and dedication. It is definitely worth it to invest some time into yard work, as it serves to make your yard an enjoyable place to be and protects it from some of the most invasive species around.

• Trim Back – Any branches and plants that are physically touching the house act as a highway for small pests. Ants, spiders, rodents, and termites can use these plants to gain easy access to your house, especially if they find an entry point. Cut back all tree branches from the house, and trim any hedges and plants that are growing wide enough to touch the home. 

• Eliminate Standing Water – Just as with your pets’ water dishes, any item that accumulates water over time will attract mosquitoes and other aquatic pests. This is especially true after a summer rainstorm that drenches everything in the yard. The most commonly impacted items are plant drainage trays, children’s toys, tarps, buckets, birdbaths, yard decorations, and play structures. Clear out any standing water throughout the yard, and contact professional pest control services if you find a mosquito infestation in the process.

• Inspect and Weed Plants – Pulling weeds is an important step in maintaining a clean yard, but did you know it also helps prevent pests? Some garden pests love weeds and overgrown plants, and will invade for those items but stay for the healthy plants. While you are tending to your plants, give them each a quick inspection to see if there are any signs of pest problems. Some of the common ones include holes in leaves, gnawed leaf edges, leaf drop, and wilting. If you find excessive plant damage, it’s worth it to investigate for any garden pests that are still in the area.

• Keep Lawn Mowed – This is a classic for a reason. Tall grass is one of the most common natural habitats of tiny pests, and it can lead them to your house if the lawn outside your front windows is overgrown. Some of the most common invaders are ants, chinch bugs, cutworms, and armyworms. All of these can cause major problems for your yard, so keeping the lawn trimmed down will greatly reduce the risk of a pest invasion. Also, make sure the lawn is well-watered and the sprinklers are covering the whole lawn. A happy lawn is a pest-free lawn!

Green Protects Your Summer From Pests

Pests can make your summer miserable if they are left untreated. Insects and rodents reproduce very quickly, and spiders can hide in the darkest corners of your home while they wait for their meals to fly by and continue to keep them fed. Professional pest control services are the best way to stay on top of any pest problem, and the professionals of Green Pest Services are always prepared to stop pests in their tracks. Our technicians are highly-trained, experienced, and knowledgable in the most efficient ways to solve all kinds of common pest problems. All of our treatments are environmentally-friendly and effective against dozens of pest species, so you can relax and enjoy your summer while our treatments do the hard work of eliminating each pest from your home and yard. You do not have to endure swarms of pests around your home, no matter what season it is or what kinds of pests are in your area. Contact us for a free quote on our efficient services and to learn how our dedicated team will keep your home safe from persistent summer pests.

Citations

7 summer pest control tips you should know. (n.d.). Home Pest Control. Retrieved June 30, 2023, from https://www.homepest.com/blog/7-summer-pest-control-tips-you-should-know 

Don’t let these pests damage your A/C. (n.d.). American Home Shield. Retrieved June 30, 2023, from https://www.ahs.com/home-matters/repair-maintenance/dont-let-pests-damage-ac/

Summer pest control tips: Dos and don’ts. (n.d.). Any Pest. Retrieved June 30, 2023, from https://anypest.com/blog/summer-pest-control-tips-dos-and-donts/

Willcox, K. (2022, May 21). 10 best ways to get your pest control in check this summer. Realtor.com. Available at https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/best-pest-control-tips-for-summer/ (Accessed on June 30, 2023).