Ah, the dog days of summer: cold drinks, blooming gardens, outdoor barbecues, and…enough bugs to drive a person crazy.
There are an estimated 900,000 different species of insects in the world, and it feels like every single one of them comes out to bug us during the summertime. Dealing with annoying summer insects is enough to make you want to hide indoors where they can’t get you. But wait, they’re in the house too!
If you’re sick of dealing with bothersome bugs in the summertime, there are a few things you can do to keep them at bay. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, there are methods for deterring the most common insects so you can finally get some peace.
Read on to learn about the top 6 summer insects and what you can do to keep them away.
- Ants
Ants are one of the most annoying summer bugs to deal with, especially when you’re trying to have a picnic or a barbecue. They love to sneak into your food, leaving a scent trail that invites their friends to come along.
To prevent ants from coming in, be sure your home is free of any open food or drinks. Keep your kitchen clean and free of any spills or crumbs that could lead ants right to the spot. Also, watch out for food particles in your sinks as well as your pet’s food dish, too.
- Flies
Always buzzing loudly and crawling on your food, flies are a straight-up nuisance in the summertime. You can keep them away by covering up your food, setting traps indoors, and keeping your yard free of pet waste.
- Mosquitos
Mosquitos are super annoying summer insects that can carry dangerous diseases. To protect yourself, you can buy commercial repellant sprays, candles, and other products to keep them away. Another good idea is avoiding dense, wooded areas whenever you can, as these are their favorite place to hang out.
You should also keep your property clear of any standing water, as this can be prime real estate for mosquitos to breed.
- Bees and Wasps
Wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets can be vicious and dangerous to those with severe allergies. To keep them away, cover up your food and avoid wearing sweet fragrances in the summertime.
If nests are disturbing your outdoor entertaining areas, you can try a commercial wasp killer, but be sure you’re fully protecting yourself to avoid getting stung. You can also bring in a pest removal service to help you out.
Please be gentle with bumblebees and honeybees, as they won’t sting you unless threatened. These are essential to the environment and should be left alone. If they accidentally enter your home, use a cup to capture them and release them safely outdoors.
- Cockroaches
While they can be a year-round pest, cockroaches thrive in warm, moist conditions. This makes them ideally suited for the summer heat, which is why you may notice more activity in your home during the summertime.
You can proactively prevent an infestation by keeping your home clean and free of open food containers, crumbs, or spills. If they have nothing to eat, then they’re less likely to stick around.
- Bed Bugs
Just like cockroaches, bed bugs are a year-round pest that becomes even more active in the summer heat. To avoid an infestation, be sure to wash your sheets regularly and keep your bedroom clean. Also, if you buy any used stuffed animals, clothing, or furniture, run a steam cleaner over it (or run it through the laundry) before you bring it into your home.
Keeping Summer Insects at Bay
Depending on which type of summer insects you’re dealing with, you have options for keeping them at bay. Here are just a few ideas to help you tackle the problem.
Replace Damaged Screens
Even if it’s the tiniest hole, you’d be amazed at how capable summer insects are at finding their way in through a screen. This is why, if you plan on leaving windows open, ensuring your screens are intact is essential. Screens are your number one weapon if you’re wondering how to keep bugs out of the house in summer.
Consider a Bug Net Canopy
Want to enjoy your outdoor space, but hate having to deal with annoying summer insects in your face? A netted canopy provides a barrier that keeps flying bugs out while you’re lounging outside.
Get an Outdoor Fan
Tiny, flying summer insects often aren’t strong enough to brave the intense breeze of a fan. To keep them out of your face while you’re enjoying the outdoors, set up a fan wherever you’re sitting. As an added bonus, it will help keep you cool, too.
Cover Food and Beverages
The delicious aromas from your summer cookouts can attract a wide variety of annoying insects. Nothing ruins a feast quite like ants in your fruit salad and flies floating in your punch!
To keep summer insects from devouring your refreshments, be sure to leave everything covered when it’s not in use. This will help keep those delicious aromas in- and those annoying insects out.
How to Keep Bugs Out of the House in Summer
You may be wondering, “I’ve got bugs in my house, what can I do to get rid of them?”
Well, it depends on how they got in and whether or not they’ve decided to make a nesting ground in your home.
If you find them frequently flying in, then it’s best to try and bug-proof your house by setting up screens and avoiding leaving any doors or windows open wherever possible. It’s also a good idea to keep your house clean and free of loose food or drink spills. Try not to leave any food in your trash can either, as the smell can be very attractive to pesky summer insects.
On the other hand, if summer insects have made a nest in your home, you’ll need to find another way to get them out. Your best bet is seeking out a pest service to have them removed safely and completely.
Don’t Let Summer Insects Bug You
Summer is the best season for enjoying your outdoor space, but summer insects can really bug you if you’re not prepared. Now that you know how to avoid the most common insects in the summer, you’ll be ready to enjoy more bug-free days in the great outdoors.
For more topics, check out our other blog entries.
