Here are 7 of the most common pests that love to annoy us in summer!
Summer in Australia is warm, humid and a favourite season for many however it also provides the perfect environment for insects and pests to reproduce. Because of this, you may notice them in large numbers. Let’s have a look at the 7 most common pests we encounter in the summertime and how to prevent them from disrupting your home and outdoor activities.
1) Ants
Most of us encounter ants on a day to day basis if not weekly and once summer is upon us, you may notice an overwhelming number of them. Whilst ants don’t normally cause major issues, in summer they can become unwelcomed intruders at your outdoor activities and a major pain inside your home. Plus, some species can bite which can be painful.
How to avoid ant infestations:
Remove food from dishes and cutlery and wash or rinse off crumbs, sauces etc.
Ensure your bin has a lid or has a secure fastening to prevent them from getting into it.
Clean off your BBQ and outdoor table.
Keep food in secure packaging/airtight containers
Try to make sure crumbs and food scraps are cleaned up and disposed of.
If you are eating outside keep foods in containers or underneath a food tent.
2) Cockroaches
Not many people like cockroaches. They are active all year but when the weather cools down the number of cockroaches declines slightly as they are cold-blooded and aren’t as inclined to reproduce. Once the weather warms up again, they go into full gear and multiply like crazy.
How to avoid cockroach infestations:
Ensure you see to areas of moisture as they need water to survive.
Avoid leaving food out, pet food included.
Make sure your bin has a lid on it.
Wash or rinse dishes after use.
Clean up crumbs and food remnants often.
Store food in airtight containers.
3) Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are not only a huge nuisance, but they carry diseases that can be fatal. Mosquito season starts in spring but escalates in summer as eggs start to hatch and hibernating mosquitoes emerge resulting in masses of these pests. Mosquitoes are highly annoying regardless of the setting.
How to avoid mosquito infestations:
Make sure there are no pools of water lingering around your home or backyard as mosquitoes need water to lay their eggs in.
Trim trees and shrubs especially sap producing plants as they feed off this and it provides an ideal home for mosquitoes to linger in
Mosquitoes are more active at night so ensure that your windows have screenings on them or are kept closed.
Ensure there are no holes or gaps that mosquitoes can gain access into the home through.
4) Flies
Flies are notorious for landing and feeding on all sorts of hazardous contaminants and spreading that by landing on food. Having flies buzzing around can be extremely irritating. They reproduce in drastic numbers in the warmer months that’s why each summer you’ll notice swarms of them.
How to avoid fly infestations:
Flies need a source of water to keep hydrated, make sure you see to any areas of moisture, this can be anything from drinks left out, water in the bottom of the shower to condensation on the windows.
Restrict their ability to access food by cleaning up food and drink after use and rinse/wash dishes off.
Have flyscreens on your windows and doors.
Remove potential food sources from outside. Things such as dog manure and anything with moisture such as rotting wood, composts, leaking taps and decaying plants.
Keep a lid on the bin.
When outside, use a food tent to protect your food from flies.
Keep food in containers or sealed packaging.
5) Fleas
When the warm weather approaches many of us spend time outdoors in the sunshine and if you have a pet accompanying you, they can be exposed to fleas on their travels. While fleas live on animals, they still bite humans and if left untreated, you may find yourself covered in bites which can be quite distressing. Warm temperatures trigger the larvae and eggs to mature which is why they can be found in huge numbers during summer.
How to avoid flea infestations:
Regularly check your pet for fleas and treat routinely.
Keep stray animals and wildlife away from your animal and home if possible.
Maintain your gardens and lawns to limit their ability to jump onto you or your pet.
6) Rodents
The very thought of having rodents in your home probably makes your skin crawl. They can cause extensive damage to your property and belongings and can also carry fleas, ticks, diseases, and infections. Rats breed year-round and even more so in the warmer months. They are only pregnant for 3 weeks and can birth anywhere from 6 to 13 pups at a time, so it doesn’t take long for rats to infest a home.
How to avoid a rat infestation:
Seal off potential entry points within to home.
Cover bins and make sure they have a lid on them.
Store food in containers that are hardy and can’t be easily chewed through.
Clean home and remove food remnants often.
7) Possums
Possums are regarded as an Australasian native; however, they can be a nuisance when they decide to call your place home. They can keep you up at all hours of the night running through the roof and making howling and hissing noises.
How to avoid possum infestations:
Trim trees or remove objects that are near your roof.
Block under decking areas.
Make sure you have lids on your bins.
If you have a pest bothering you at your home, get in touch with our experienced pest professionals here at Premier Building and Pest Reports! We guarantee we can eliminate the pest from your home.