Summers are filled with days in the sun, trips to the beach, hiking, and all sorts of outdoor activities. Summer is also a time when more and more pests become active in their sea games for food, water, and shelter. Sometimes these pests make their way into our homes and can cause more than a distraction. These are the most common summer pests our customers run into.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are by far the most despised insect of the summer. These tiny insects can swarm a well-planned outdoor party and bring it to close in a matter of minutes. In some cases, being outside with mosquitoes is almost impossible.
The reason we experience fluctuations in the amount of mosquitoes we see is because of the weather. If it has been a rainy summer, then you can bet the swarms will be really bad. You can help curb the mosquito population in your area by eliminating standing water. Female mosquitoes require just a tiny amount of water to lay her eggs. If you deprive her of a breeding ground she will move further from your house.
Common Mosquito Breeding Areas
- Buckets
- Children’s toys
- Tires
- Wheelbarrows
- Flower pots
- Rain catchers
- Ponds
- Birdbaths
If mosquitoes are giving you a headache, call the pros at Seitz Bros. Our mosquito control program will help ensure your outdoor plans go uninterrupted.
Wasps And Yellow Jackets
If you have ever happened upon a wasp or Yellow Jackets nest, then you know that they aren’t very friendly. Unlike bees, wasps and Yellow Jackets are aggressive omnivores that eat other insects and even bees. People often believe that once a wasp stings you, they die. That is only true for bees. Wasps and Yellow Jackets use their stingers to hunt and they can sting humans multiple times. Their stings are not just painful but can cause severe allergic reactions in some people. At Seitz Bros we offer wasp control and yellow jacket control so you don’t have to put yourself at risk of being stung.
Where Do Wasps and Yellow Jackets Live?
Wasps and Yellow Jackets both build their nests out of paper and seek out places that provide adequate shelter. You will often see their nests:
- Under the eaves of houses
- Under rooflines of barns, sheds, buildings
- Inside old tires
- Under benches
- Inside discarded pipes and tubes
- Holes in the ground
Spiders
Spiders aren’t always bad, in fact, they can be quite beneficial by catching mosquitoes, flies, and other annoying bugs that sneak into your home. However, here in New Jersey, there are some dangerous spiders that can make their way into your home.
The Black Widow
The most notorious and most feared spider in America. Of all the spider species in North America, the black widow is probably the most recognizable with its iconic red hourglass under its abdomen. The black widow spider is nocturnal and prefers to stay hidden most of the time. Although their venom can pack a punch, they are not known to be aggressive and only bite when threatened.
The Brown Recluse
These spiders are identified by the black mark on their abdomen that looks like a violin. These spiders build small webs in hidden places where they remain until night when they come out in search of food. Though the brown recluse isn’t usually aggressive, they will bite if they feel threatened. The bite of a brown recluse can cause skin cells to die in the area surrounding the spider bite, known as necrosis. This can lead to infection and, in rare cases, death.
If you spot either of these spiders in your home, call a professional exterminator immediately.
Fleas & Ticks
Fleas and ticks are both problems in the summer. They are both small blood-sucking insects with some slight differences. While fleas are famous for biting our pets, ticks don’t have a preference and will latch onto anything that’s breathing. Fleas and ticks enter your home by hitching a ride on your pets or even you. Once inside, fleas can hop off and multiply into the thousands. While ticks usually stay attached to the host.
Fleas do not prefer the taste of human blood but according to the CDC, they can cause:
- Allergies
- Tapeworms
- Murine Typhus
- Cat Scratch Disease
Once fleas get into your house it’s only a matter of time before their population explodes. If you are having trouble with fleas it is best to hire the professionals at Seitz Bros to help you get rid of them.
Ants
Ants are one of the most common insects on the planet and we have plenty of them right here on the east coast, including the destructive carpenter ant.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants are very common across the country. They can be found making small hills in the cracks of your sidewalks and driveways. They are attracted to almost any type of food and can easily gain entry to your home if they can smell it. To prevent ants from getting into your home you should:
- Put flour, pasta, and cereals in air-tight containers
- Store dog food in plastic bins
- Take out the trash regularly
- Do not leave dirty dishes in the sink
- Sweep up or vacuum regularly
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants can be very destructive if they make their way into your home, causing extensive damage to wooden structures. Carpenter ants are attracted to moisture and chew through wood to carve out large galleries. Once established, carpenter ants are hard to eliminate. To prevent carpenter ants, make sure that there are no leaks or moisture in your attic or basement. Consider buying a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture in your home.
Bed Bugs
Bedbugs are six-legged, blood-sucking insects that feed on you and your family while you sleep. If that doesn’t conjure up delightful images, just one female can quickly lead to an infestation of thousands. While fleas love to feed on our pets, bed bugs prefer the blood of humans.
How Do You Know If You Have Bed Bugs?
Tiny bites on your body in the morning is a good sign that you have bed bugs. Check behind your headboard, tables, between the folds in your sheets, and under the mattress. If bedbugs are present, you should find discarded exoskeletons and fecal matter.
What Do Bedbugs Look Like?
Adult bed bugs are about the size and shape of a watermelon seed but with more legs. These tiny insects are almost impossible to control once they’ve settled in and may require the help of a professional bed bug removal expert to ensure that they are eliminated.
Professional Pest Control
At Seitz Bros we have been a family-owned and operated company since 1975. Since then, we have been providing Pennsylvania and New Jersey with unmatched residential pest control services. Whether it’s a pest, rodent, or other animal we can remove it from your property. Call today at 570-783-5593 or request a free quote.
