3 Pests to Avoid This Summer
When the cold and snow finally break in Missouri and give way to warmer days, one of the first signs of spring and summer are the pests that also come out to enjoy the beautiful climate. While summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy all of the sunshine, it is also sometimes a dangerous place. There are many pests that seem innocuous enough, but truthfully they bring many risks, such as disease. Below are the three pests that are best to avoid this summer, and how to do it.
Mosquitoes
Of all the pests that creep and fly around during the summer months, mosquitoes are some of the most dangerous. Although these annoying insects may just seem like minor inconveniences, the truth is that they pose a major danger. West Nile virus, Yellow Fever, Malaria, and Dengue and Encephalitis are just a few of the diseases mosquitoes carry and transmit to humans. At the very least, their bites can become incredibly itchy and swollen, and have the potential to become infected. In the worst of cases, a person may not survive a mosquito bite.
Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, so it is crucial to try and avoid being outdoors during these times to prevent bites and the risks they bring. Standing water also provides mosquitoes with an ideal breeding ground, so it is just as important to eliminate these areas by dumping buckets and other containers of water, such as bird feeders.
Ticks
Ticks also begin to emerge as the weather becomes warmer. These insects pose a great threat to humans, as they transmit Lyme disease, and their numbers are increasing every year. Untreated, Lyme disease can result in damage to the joints, heart, and the nervous system. Once a person has developed Lyme disease, it may remain with them for several months, and sometimes even years. Due to this, it is essential that everyone tries to avoid ticks as much as possible during the summer months.
To avoid a tick bite, long pants and long-sleeved shirts offer the best protection. This is particularly true when spending time in tall grass or wooded areas. Ticks also love to hide in grassy, bushy areas so it is important to keep greenery trimmed as much as possible. Repellents that contain at least 20 percent DEET and tick-resistant clothing is also a great help when trying to avoid these pesky critters while enjoying time in the beautiful outdoors.
Stinging Insects
Many insects are more than just a nuisance. The anatomy of some insects also includes a stinger that is in the best case scenario, quite painful. In other cases, these stingers can be fatal to some individuals. Stinging insects include yellow jackets, wasps, hornets, and bees, to name just a few of the most common. Even individuals that are not allergic to these stings often must visit an emergency room for urgent treatment, but the case is much worse for those that do suffer from an allergy.
Although avoiding a sting from a flying insect may seem impossible, it is not. Many people instinctively swing at these insects to bat them away, but that can in fact, increase the aggression in these pests and increase the likelihood that they are going to sting. Stinging insects are also typically drawn to sweet and sugary smells, so avoiding perfumes and colognes is very important. Some of these critters, such as yellow jackets, are also looking for food in any area they can find it. As such, they are attracted to garbage and refuse. Keeping garbage cans tightly closed and cleaning up outside debris is an extremely important prevention method when dealing with stinging insects.
In some cases, homeowners find they have a real problem because an insect has made its hive close to their home. No one should ever try to remove these on their own, as swarming stinging insects pose a much greater threat. In these situations, a professional should always step in to safely remove the hive.
Our Missouri Pest Control Specialists are Here to Help
Everyone should be able to enjoy backyard barbecues when the summer warms up, but many pests often make that quite difficult. If you have a pest problem or you want to prevent them from invading your outdoor space, call our St. Charles pest control specialists at Amco Ranger. We know how to remove these pests and give you your backyard back so you can enjoy the nicer weather, as well. Call us today at (636) 224-6099 or contact us online to schedule your free inspection.
