Pests Of Summer

We’re talking houseflies, fruit flies, flour bugs, and the like. There are multiple solutions on the market to combat them from proactive to reactive. There are bug killing sprays, adhesive traps, old fashioned sugar traps, and chemical compounds that can be sprayed for first line deterrence.

There are also the creepy crawlies that pose more immediate health hazards. Venomous spiders like the brown recluse and black widow (Don’t call them poisonous, poison is ingested not injected), the ever-worrisome Lyme-carrying tick, and the apian horde (bees, hornets, wasps). If you’re allergic to bee venom, you probably already have emergency epinephrine on hand. Finally, let’s not forget the ever-pesky mosquito!

Of course, it’s not a zero-sum game. Much like having a cat can limit the presence of rodents, disregarding a harmless spider or two can cut down on flies. If you’re not chiroptophobia (Possessing a fear of bats), installing a bat box on your property in accordance with DNR regulations can do wonders where mosquitos, and really any flying bugs, are concerned. A single bat can eat up to 8,000 insects a night.

If your pantry items are in air proof containers, you have bug lights and employ insect repelling candles, and have properly sealed windows and doors and still have issues with bugs in your home, it’s time to contact a professional. Exterminators will be able to advise you on the most up to date child and pet safe methods of eradication or displacement. Now, enjoy the sunshine!