How to keep summer pests at bay

Summer is here and it’s making itself felt. Some days are insanely hot – perfect for going to the pool, getting a tan while also cooling off. Mildly hot days, on the other hand, are perfect for picnics and other outdoor activities especially now that the young ones are liberated from the bondage of school.

Suffice it to say, summer is the season for going out. As long as you remember to cover up a bit to prevent your skin from getting baked, and staying hydrated, you’re sure to have loads of fun this season.

Unfortunately, though, a lot of pests become more visible and active during the summer and they’re a pain to deal with.  When temperatures rise, everything from fire ants to cockroaches head where it’s cooler and more moist to avoid the heat. So, don’t be surprised if you see a lot of creepy crawlers jaywalking across your air-conditioned room or lounging in your bathroom and basement, and fliers buzzing around your home, because it’s their instinct to seek out places that are damp and cool when it’s super-dry outside.

While such is the case, it’s never fine to have them in your home. All these summer season pests, after all, are carriers of all kinds of bacteria-causing diseases and some of them also bite. If you want them out of your house, here are the best ways to deter them from taking refuge in your home.

1.    Clean your house often and make sure that even your gutters are free from the buildup of moist matted leaves that these summer pests like to nest in.

2.    Trim the plants around your home. Often, those long branches and leaves serve as highways into your house. Make sure that there is at least two feet of distance between vegetation and your house.

3.    Seal off cracks and holes you find in your ceilings, walls, around windows and doors.

4.    Do not let trash stay long inside your house. Empty your bins every day and segregate your garbage properly.

5.    To discourage mosquitoes and other insects from entering your home, you can use citronella (or lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus) candles or incense sticks around your garden. The incense sticks tend to be more effective though because they also create smoke that suffocates most summer season pests.

6.    Flies, particularly Drosophila, also make their way indoors during the summer. You can catch them using flypaper (a little disgusting though once you’ve caught a lot) or kill them off with those electric swatters that zap them dead.

7.    Never leave food out, especially fruits that are ripe. These will attract a lot of pests.

These are just a few of the very effective ways to get rid of summer season pests. If you’re dealing with a serious infestation, don’t delay in calling a Modesto pest control company. We are happy to help you with all your pest issues so you and your family can feel safe in your home.