When summer temperatures heat up, homeowners aren’t the only ones cooling off. Unfortunately, a number of pests become more active during these warmer months in search of food, water and shelter – often seeking out the refuge of our homes. Let’s take a look at the top five summer pests and learn how to protect your home from these unwanted visitors.

Ants

Ants are one of the most common summer visitors since most of the different species become active only as much as warmer it gets. Food residues are just their thing, and they build trails into your home in no time.

Protection tips:

• Store food in sealed containers
• Clean up spills and crumbs straight away
• Seal entry points around windows and doors
• Use natural deterrents such as vinegar or lemon juice to break their scent trails

Flies

House flies and fruit flies develop in large quantities with warm weather. They become a health nuisance when they carry diseases.

Protection tips:

• Cover all windows and doors with fly screens
• Dispose garbage in bins, seal, and keep them clean
• Do not let fruits and vegetables remain exposed
• Take help of electrocuting fly traps or some other natural fly repellent essential oils

Mosquitoes

These blood-feeding insects are very bothersome not only irritably but also spreading diseases. They lay eggs in sites with collected water.

Protection tips:

• Eliminate the collections of water around your house
• Use mosquito nets or screens
• Keep the grass and bushes around your house and trim them
• Citronella or lavender plants repel mosquitoes, you could plant those

Cockroaches

Cockroaches like warmth and dampness, they are also very difficult to remove if they become an infestation.

Protection tips:

• Keep your home clean and dry
• Put food in tight-sealed containers
• Seal up cracks and crevices in walls and floors
• Discard cardboard boxes and any rubbish where they may be hiding

Termites

Although active all year round, summer, in general, is considered peak swarming season of termites that create more damage to wooden structures.

Prevention tips:

• Keep wood and mulch away from home foundations
• Ensure proper crawl space ventilation
• Correct leaky pipes and roof issues in a timely manner
• Schedule termite inspections on a regular basis

General Pest Prevention Tips:

Cleanliness: Cleaning may reduce food and waste that attracts pests into your home

Eliminate pest entryways: Check your home’s exterior for gaps or cracks and seal these areas by.

Proper Disposal of Garbage: Store garbage in sealed containers and remove it from your premises often.

Eliminate Moisture: Patch any leaks and provide for decent drainage around your residence.

Landscaping: Keep your yard clean of junk and fallen leaves, and maintain foliage around your residence.

Natural Deterrents: Plant flowers or use essential oils that repel pests in their natural state.

Regular Inspection: Along with regular service, periodically inspect your home for signs of pests.

These are good tips in helping to prevent many pest problems, but sometimes professional intervention may be in order. If you think you have a severe or persistent pest problem, then you would want to consult with a professional pest control service for targeted treatments and ongoing prevention to keep your home pest-free all summer.

Prevention is the most important action in pest control. With the aforementioned techniques, you can have a more pleasant and bug-free summer inside your home.

Be observant, and act right away if you see any signs of infestation; never hesitate to call professionals whenever needed.