There’s just something about the hot summer weather that energizes us. We can’t wait to get out and do all our favorite outdoor activities. Unfortunately, a rise in the thermometer’s mercury also means an increase in bugs. There are more bugs, resulting in more damage and health related complications.
To make matters worse, homeowners often don’t discover that bugs have moved in until after the summer is over. This gives these critters plenty of time to make homes, cause damage, and have more little friends. When it comes to pest control, time is of the essence. It’s also a good time to have your annual inspection with your local exterminator to catch problems before they start.
Yard Maintenance Key To Infestation Prevention, Says Exterminator
In addition to the summer sun, the rain makes plants, trees, and shrubs grow quickly. And, if you let them grow wild, the vegetation can grow against the house and outbuildings. This not only wears on materials such as shingles, but it also gives bugs a direct route into your home. Once they find a small gap that lets them get inside, they’ll start causing trouble.
Eventually, bugs and insects get into your belongings and food. Some bugs such as carpenter ants or termites will actually live right in the wood of your home, chewing away at the supports. Unless you start with pest control treatments right away, you’ll need to make many expensive repairs in addition to the time it will take for the exterminator to do his job. Prevent all this simply by keeping plants and trees well trimmed and away from your home.
Water And Your Home Increases The Chance Of Infestation
Although it’s not often associated with pest control, standing water is a magnet for bugs. Mosquitoes for example, lay and hatch their young in standing water. This means one can turn into millions in a matter of days. Other bugs, slugs, and beetles also depend on moist areas to live and reproduce. If your home becomes moist, it invites all sorts of new invaders in addition to water damage, which makes it easy for these bugs to get in.
After a rain or if you’ve been watering, go through your yard and make sure to empty anything filled with water as soon as possible. In addition, check your sprinklers and irrigation systems to make sure they aren’t spraying onto your home or buildings. Lastly, check the gutters on your home to ensure they’re sealed and that any run off isn’t draining against your house.
Bugs And Health Conditions Are A Recipe For Disaster
With an increase in temperature, new bugs will move onto your property. An exterminator will tell you that a few bugs can actually benefit your property, but without proper pest control, they can also cause serious damage. Under the right circumstances, they can cause serious health risks for you, your family, and friends, particularly the elderly, young children, and those with allergies.
Fire ants and wasps, for example, are fine so long as there’s only a few and they’re left alone. However, they get extremely aggressive and even deadly if they’re disturbed. For young children who like to investigate, this is a nightmare waiting to happen. Keep an eye out for their homes and don’t be afraid to have them treated with a pest control agent. Better yet, contact an exterminator who will be able to get rid of the problem safely.
Summer is the best time to enjoy life outdoors and take in your favorite activities. However, you still need to be on your guard when it comes to watching your property and home. To prevent anything bad from happening, call for pest control at the first sign of trouble and have a regular inspection by an exterminator to keep your home free of unwanted visitors.
Chris Harmen is a freelance writer who has researched Baton Rouge exterminator options including termite and pest control as well as landscaping services for residential and commercial properties.
