How To Take The Sting Out Of Summer
Sometimes, the words "sting" and "bite" are synonymous. A fire ant bite, for example, is actually a sting. The ant delivers the sting with a stinger on the end of its abdomen. Insects that sting have a stinger and venom. Fire ants have both of these. On the other hand, mosquitoes look like they are stinging insects, but they actually bite. A mosquito pushes its proboscis into the skin and draws blood out. It does not inject venom. As we talk about how to take the sting out of summer, we'll look at all of the common pests that want to bite or sting residents in the Pee Dee and Grand Strands areas. Let's start with biting pests.
Common summer pests that bite
The three pests that are most likely to bite you are mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. All of these pests require hydration, and you'll find them hiding in shaded areas on your property. Shade offers a shield from the sun. You're also likely to find them in vegetation where humidity levels are usually higher. As ticks and fleas develop, the larvae and nymphs need to stay hydrated to survive, and adult mosquitoes need hydration for survival as well.
You can deter these biting pests by keeping your property as dry as possible.
- Clear out your gutters to avoid rainwater spillage.
- Trim bushes, shrubs, and plants in your landscaping to increase airflow.
- Remove leaves and other organic clutter to bring humidity levels down.
- Fix leaking spigots and other plumbing issues.
Along with reducing damp habitats, you'll also need to remove stagnant water resources if you hope to deter mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes lay eggs a hundred at a time in still water.
Common summer pests that sting
The most common pests that will sting you on your property are fire ants, paper wasps, and yellow jackets. Fire ants and yellow jackets create nests in the ground. You'll find the mounds of fire ants in sunny areas of a yard. You'll find yellow jackets buzzing around holes in your landscaping. Paper wasps rarely build nests in the ground. They prefer to make aerial nests. You'll find their gray, paper nests attached to your exterior or hanging from the corner of your porch ceiling.
How to avoid fire ants
You're likely to attract the attention of these pests if you have a cookout area in your yard, accessible trash, or pet food set outside. Consider all potential food sources and remove them to deter fire ants.
How to avoid wasp stings
Paper wasps and yellow jackets usually sting when protecting a nest. The key to avoiding stings is to prevent them from establishing nests. There are a few steps you might take:
- Fill in ground holes. While yellow jackets do some excavating, they don't typically start a hole. They'll use a hole previously made by an animal.
- Remove or protect wood sources in your yard. Wasps collect wood pulp to create their nests.Remove hummingbird feeders. Wasps are
- particularly attracted to sugar water because it is similar to nectar.
- Address lawn weeds. While wasps are protein eaters, they will draw nectar from flowers in the same way bees do. Flowering weeds are a plentiful source of nectar.
Summer pests & health risks
Stinging insects cause what feels like burning wounds, and individuals with a stinging insect allergy are at risk for medical symptoms. Ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes spread harmful and sometimes dangerous human pathogens. It is essential to take steps to guard against contact with any of these common summer pests.
The solution for summer pests
If you’re tired of summer pests taking over your property, contact Harris Pest Control for relief! When you reach out, we’ll send out a highly trained and fully licensed pest control specialist to perform a thorough inspection of your property in order to identify active pest populations, pinpoint conducive conditions, and locate potential entry points. Based on the evaluation, your technician will recommend a treatment plan and then get treating!
The best way to get rid of summer pests and keep insects and rodents out of your home all year long is to sign up for one of Harris’ ongoing home pest control plans. While features vary by plan, all three include regular service, exterior pest treatments, indoor treatments as needed, and fire ant control within 25 feet of the house. These plans are available for homeowners in Florence, Myrtle Beach, and throughout our South Carolina service area.
Compare plans and pricing below or give us a call to discuss!
Complete Coverage That's Easy On The Budget
If you're searching for a way to protect your home and family from insects and rodents that infest homes in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand regions, our Intelligent Choice Service Program (ICP) is the solution! It combines general pest control and termite control to deliver the results you need. And that's not all. Upgrade your plan to include a yearly moisture service, fire ant control, mosquito control, or all of the above! Compare our residential plans and pricing below or simply give us a call to learn more.
Interested In Adding Moisture Control?
At Harris Pest Control, our 50+ years of industry experience have taught us that no two homes are the same.
If you're searching for a residential plan that includes moisture control, we've got you!
Or Call For Details (843) 665-4325
Other pest control services that keep summer pests away
While our residential plans offer thorough protection against common house-infesting pests, we also offer specialized pest control services. See below for details:
Seasonal Mosquito Control
You can bundle pest control and mosquito control with our Premium package, or you can sign up for seasonal mosquito control that runs April through September and include
- An initial mosquito inspection.
- An initial mosquito misting treatment to eliminate adult mosquitoes and larvae.
- Monthly mosquito misting treatments targeting areas where mosquitoes rest and where they breed.
Flea & Tick Control
For relief from fleas and ticks, Harris Pest Control offers effective flea and tick control services that include:
- Interior flea treatments that come with a 30-day flea guarantee
- Exterior flea control
- Exterior tick treatments
Contact Harris Pest Control today!
In business since 1973, homeowners in the Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas can count on our experience, knowledge, and dedicated team members to get rid of stinging and biting pests this summer. Reach out today to schedule a free inspection!
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