Summer Pest Prevention: A Guide for New England Homeowners

There are many types of pests we consider “Summer pests” but there are a few we really find to be a common problem for New England homeowners. The most notable of these pests are bees, wasps, ants, and flies and they have one thing in common: they aren’t typically a problem until they’re REALLY a problem. Left untended, these pests can multiply and pose an issue to the health and safety of your home. Here’s how to handle each of them

Ants

Combating New England’s number one ant pest, the carpenter ant comes down to moisture. Carpenter ants require moisture in order to nest in your walls. Repair leaky plumbing, or broken, leaky windows, and other sources of moisture will help to keep carpenter ant colonies from nesting. A major source of moisture is backed-up gutters. Keeping your gutters clean and clear will help alleviate excess water and attaching downspout extenders, pointed away from the foundation should help greatly.

Trimming trees and shrubs that touch and overhang your home is useful in preventing a common entry point along with promoting air movement to help keep things dryer. Be sure to clear loose twigs and branches and keep firewood well away from structures. In the same vein, using wood mulch can be attractive to carpenter ants. Consider using stone or rocks instead. 

Stinging Insects

Bees, wasps, and yellow jackets are all major summer invaders. Preventing them from making their way to your property is the key to success. Remove anything that attracts wasps, which can include food scraps, compost, and garbage. Your trash barrels need to have tight-fitting lids. Remove any sweet attractors around your home, such as bird feed or hummingbird nectars.

Scan your property and begin repairing or replacing broken panels or siding, torn window screens, and other crevices. Less opportunity for wasps to get in and make a nest is the goal.

Paper wasps are territorial and typically don’t like to build in areas where there is an existing nest. Some store-bought decoy nests can prevent a competing colony from forming. Most home improvement stores sell various wasp baits, traps, and sprays that you can use in targeted locations around your property.

Flies

Finally, these nuisance pests seem to always find their way inside but never the way out. Seal any cracks in and around your home with silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Check doors, screens, siding, utility pipes, and windows. Repair or replace any broken window or door screens. Another perennial fly pest is the Cluster fly. They like to overwinter in walls and attic spaces. Not much of a problem during the summer months as they are not interested in your picnic foods but once in your home’s walls and attic, they will emerge in large numbers with a February warm spell.  So, it is important to make sure these flies are tended to before late August or early September. This is when the flies begin the overwintering process.

Download Our Guide to Ants in Your Home

Enjoy the sunny days of summer instead of worrying about pests. Our team at Graduate Pest Solutions specializes in prevention. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and service necessary to help keep your home and workplace pest-free!