Most Common Summer Bugs

Summer is fast approaching, and with summer comes a variety of pesky bugs. Here is a guide from our professional exterminators of the ten most common summer bugs, the potential frustrations they bring with them, and how you can prevent or treat them:

Ants

Ants are one of the most common insects and household pests. There are a variety of different types of ants that may infiltrate the home including sugar ants, fire ants, and carpenter ants. Methods to rid your home of an ant infestation include:

Pesticides, Including Baits

There are a variety of ant insecticides that can be used to rid your home of these pests. You can easily find insecticide sprays for indoor areas as well as baits. Baits contain insecticides blended with specific materials that attract ants looking for food. Baits can be a very useful tool for managing ants in the home and happen to be the only type of insecticide recommended in most situations. Once ants have found the bait, they will attract other ants to it.

Sealing Potential Entry Points

Ants are pros at navigating their way into your home. Ensuring that any potential entry points are sealed will help to prevent a takeover by these pesky invaders. Potential entry points include:

• Cracks in walls
• Gaps in foundation
• Unsealed doors and windows

For indoor entry points, you can use caulk or spackle to seal gaps between baseboards and floors as well as windows and walls. Sealant options for outdoors include sealing foundation cracks and holes around electrical, plumbing and cable lines. You may also consider using weather stripping to close gaps around doors and windows.

Keeping Home Surfaces As Clean As Possible

Ants are typically on the lookout for one thing: food. One of the best ways to prevent an ant infestation in your home is by wiping down and keeping surfaces clean such as your floors, counters and tables where food may be present, especially following any food preparation or eating.

Antsmay be small but they can bring with them some hefty issues. Ant swarms can consume large amounts of organic material causing structural issues and may also trigger major health concerns in people and animals. The typical homeowner doesn’t usually think too much about ants’ possible transmission of diseases, however, ants can transmit food-borne disease organisms such as e.coli or salmonella. 

Mosquitoes 

In South Carolina, it is no secret that mosquitoes pose a major issue in the summer months. While they can be annoying, they may also carry with them certain mosquito-borne diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), mosquitoes may carry illnesses such as Zika Virus, West Nile Virus, Malaria, and more.

We offer a multitude of mosquito control servicesat Palmetto Exterminators that will ensure your health and allow you to spend your summers free from these troublesome critters. Our reliable pest controlservices for mosquitoes include:

• Mosquito barrier treatments
• Mosquito misting systems
• Special event mosquito treatments
• Neighborhood mosquito programs

Bees

While we are grateful to all bees for their impact on our environment, some can come with negative implications for our homes. With bees, our biggest concern is carpenter bees. Carpenter bees are non-aggressive but can easily cause issues for the structure of your home as they drill holes nearly half an inch wide into exposed wood. 

To distinguish carpenter bees from other types, take note of their matte black abdomen as opposed to the furry abdomen of bumble bees. You can read more about how to identify different types of bees hereon our blog.

Wasps and Yellowjackets

Wasps and yellowjackets are both more aggressive than bees. In fact, yellowjackets are a specific type of wasp and are considered to be the most aggressive species. Wasps will tend to attack when they fear that themselves or their nest is in danger. Unfortunately, as many of us know, wasps are very capable of stinging humans and pets. You can prevent wasps by blocking small entry paths to your home and keeping food in your kitchen sealed, as wasps look for high-sugar items due to their eagerness to pollinate.

We offer specialized exterminator services for yellowjackets; however, if you want to follow home treatment methods, keep these tips in mind:

• Take action in the morning or at night when wasps are less active
• Be sure to wear long pants, sleeves, and gloves to prevent being stung
• Ensure you treat the entire nest
• Stand a good distance away from the nest
• If you are allergic, please refrain from treating wasps yourself

Roaches

Commonly referred to locally as “palmetto bugs,” roaches most certainly fall into the category of pests. These pests are all too common, especially throughout the Lowcountry and can be detrimental to your health, specifically for individuals who may be immunocompromised  or suffer from asthma, allergies, and more. Unfortunately, once these critters make their way into your home, they can be difficult to get rid of on your own.

There are many types of roaches including:

American Cockroach

American cockroaches are reddish-brown in color, can grow up to 3 inches in length, and are capable of flying. American cockroaches create protective cases for their eggs, which can hold up to about 16 eggs. If you think you may have an American cockroach infestation, a tell-tale sign would be finding these egg capsules in moist areas such as basements, sheds, garages and other areas.

Smokybrown Cockroach

Smokybrown cockroaches tend to be larger in size and can fly. Smokybrown cockroaches love wooded areas, so if your home is near a substantial amount of trees or shrubbery, it may be best to keep a watchful eye for infestations. Although they love wooded areas, this cockroach has been known to nest in garbage cans and sewers and may carry diseases.

Asian Cockroach

The Asian cockroach is smaller than an inch and can range in color from tan to dark brown. These roaches are attracted to light and have a habit of flying towards bright entryways and porch lights. The best way to keep these pests out of your home is by ensuring doors and windows remain closed, especially at night. 

German Cockroach

The German cockroach can be identified based on its smaller size, color, and markings. This cockroach is a light copper color and has two distinct lines running down its head. Because of its inability to withstand cold weather, this roach will certainly want to make its way into your home during colder months.

If you think you may have a German cockroach infestation, this roach will more than likely be found having a late night snack in your kitchen as they tend to be nocturnal and feed on sugars, starches, and proteins. 

While roaches are more common in the summer months, as they typically seek out warm, wet climates, they can stick around throughout the winter. To prevent these pesky creatures from making a home in your home, try to eliminate moisture from leaky sinks and appliances, keep the floor clean, and make sure your food is tightly sealed while stored away.

Fleas

As our pets spend more time outdoors in the summer months, it is common for them to attract and bring fleasinto the home. Fleas are tiny, wingless creatures that can jump far distances for their size. While looking for a host, the CDCstates that fleas can live on carpet, bedding, and other surfaces. 

One great way to prevent fleas is to regularly treat your pets. We also recommend sweeping and vacuuming regularly, cleaning carpets and rugs, steaming sofas and chairs, and keeping bedding clean (especially pet bedding).

Ticks

Like fleas, tickscan make their way into the home via pets. Ticks may also be found after you have spent time outdoors. Similar to mosquitos, ticks can carry diseases. The most common diseases carried by ticks include Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and more. To prevent ticks in the home, treat your pets and check yourself and your clothing following time spent outdoors.

Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects. While they are not dangerous, they can gather in large groups and may cause damage to carpet, clothing, and upholstery. With these large groups, it can be difficult to treat carpet beetles with at-home methods. 

Termites

Termites are insects that consume wood. They are very common pests that we see in homes and may easily cause severe structural damage. There are a few ways you can prevent termites from taking over your home such as:

• Redirecting water away from your home
• Promptly repairing any structural damage in the home caused by moisture
• Having property maintenance performed routinely
• Minimizing any humidity in crawl spaces 
• Preventing any landscaping from covering exterior home vents

You can read more about preventing termites here.Whether you are looking to prepare your home for the warm, summer months, build a new home, or sell your home, termite prevention and protection is critical.

Bed Bugs

Last but certainly not the least of summer pest concerns is bed bugs. Bed bugs are tiny, wingless insects that feed off of the blood of humans, similar to mosquitoes; however, bed bugs do not transmit diseases.

Bed bugs typically make their way into your home after traveling. You can prevent bed bugs by being sure to inspect them as you travel over the summer. Use our guideto checking for bed bugs when traveling over the summer.

If you do happen to fall victim to bed bugs, work in conjunction with a professional and be sure to complete the following for the best bed bug control:

• Inspect all living quarters of the home
• Clean items within the infested area
• Wash and dry linens in high heat
• Removing bed bugs through physical means such as vacuuming
• Steam treating as necessary 

Don’t Let Summer Bugs Take Over

Summer should be a time of fun, rest, and relaxation. If you are experiencing any issues with these common summer bugs, contact ustoday to speak to our professional exterminators and receive a free inspection.