/ by Zach Ivey
For many Houston residents, summer brings sun, heat, rain, and with it, more opportunities to go outside and have some fun. Unfortunately, summer also brings out a lot of pests. And while you may notice some of these like ants and cockroaches year-round, the increased Houston heat provides a thriving environment for them and more pesky pests. For example, ticks and scorpions, actually prefer warmer temperatures.
If you’re shaking your head worried that these creatures might derail your summer days, don’t worry. Just because the summer welcomes these critters into your life, doesn’t mean you have to deal with them. For every bug, there are methods to prevent and protect yourself against them. With these pest control practices, you’ll be able to keep them away from your home and yard this summer.
As a sub-tropic climate, Houston is no stranger to mosquitoes. The added rainfall during the spring and summer months increases the amount of these tiny, flying creatures. Not only do these bugs cause itching and sometimes allergic reactions, but they’re also known to carry and transmit many viruses that are dangerous to humans. That’s why it’s extra prudent to understand the prevention methods of these bugs.
How to protect yourself against mosquitoes:
Warmer months lead to an increase in tick population because milder temperatures are attractive to ticks’ hosts. For instance, more humans and pets explore the outdoors where ticks are when the weather is nicer. Warm weather can also lead to an increase in certain plants that animals ticks prey on like to eat. Like mosquitos, ticks carry disease, making their bite dangerous to humans and pets.
How to protect yourself against ticks:
Also read: 8 Facts You Didn’t Know About Ticks
Encountering bees and wasps during the summer is practically inevitable. Bees begin flying around in April and May when flowers bloom and continue to hang around until deep summer before the cold temps set in. Wasps first become noticeable in June but persist until the later summer months like bees. While not particularly dangerous, both have painful stings. And unlike bees, wasps are territorial and will actively sting you if they feel threatened. Avoiding both come with similar measures.
How to protect yourself against stinging insects:
Also read: Stinging Insects & What to Do if You’re Stung
Ants and summer go together like, well, ants and summer. Frequent outdoor picnics, pool parties, and other happenings that involve food are appealing to ants, encouraging them to come out from their nests. To survive the cold winter, they eat extra food during warmer months to live off their stored fat. And for some unlucky Houston residents, ants invade their home and infest drywall, air conditioners, kitchens, and more.
How to protect yourself against ants:
Cockroaches can sense the humidity in the air – making Houston summers a stomping ground for these universally disliked creatures. They also breed in summer, making them more prevalent due to the rapid increase in population. Although they do not bite or sting, cockroaches live in areas that harbor dangerous bacteria and carry it on their backs – meaning they could potentially spread it.
How to protect yourself against cockroaches:
The peak season for bedbugs is June through October, as they are yet another pest on this list that prefers heat and humidity. The summer months generally mean more travel and movement for people in the Houston area, which means more chances for bed bugs to hop onto luggage, pets, and people who are on their way to a new location. A bedbug’s bite can be irritating, so it’s wise to be cautious.
How to protect yourself against bedbugs:
Also read: What to Do When You First Notice Bed Bugs
Scorpions love making rocks, debris, crawl spaces in the warm Texas environment their home. Although they’re typical in summer, these small bugs with sharp stingers try to avoid the heat by hiding underneath the areas mentioned above or sometimes inside your home. Luckily, these pests’ sting is not fatal. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not painful and something you should avoid.
How to protect yourself against scorpions:
Making your home and yard unwelcoming to pests is the best way to ensure your summer goes undisrupted. Things like keeping your home clean, dressing appropriately, eradicating hiding places for bugs, can help do just this. However, sometimes preventative measures include calling in a professional. Not only can they remove any critters from your house, but they also can take an inventory of your issues and create a personalized preventative plan to keep pests away from good. At Cypress Creek, all of this and more is just a call away. Contact us today!
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