With warm weather on the way, the outdoor amenities at your properties will be the center of activity. From the pool to grilling areas, picnic pavilions to playgrounds, greater numbers of residents will flock to the great outdoors for sun and fun. Outdoor amenities don’t just attract people and pets – they attract pests, too. Peak pest season coincides with peak usage for your outdoor recreation areas, so know the threats to get ahead of them.
Stinging Insects
Bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and other stinging pests can inflict painful stings on unsuspecting residents. For most, it’s an unpleasant experience, but for those with allergies, these stings can be a serious health threat. To effectively manage these stealthy stingers, you need to identify where they’re nesting and safely remove them to help prevent ongoing problems.
Flies
Flies may seem like just a nuisance, but these disease carriers are winged health threats. Frequently found in filth, they track bacteria like E-coli, salmonella, and staphylococcus wherever they land.
Spikes in fly activity may be linked to underlying sanitation issues around drains and dumpsters. Particularly in warmer months, stay on top of emptying and rotating dumpsters and amp up sanitation plans to reduce the odors and build-up that flies find irresistible.
Mosquitoes
Beyond the itching, mosquito bites can transmit a variety of diseases like West Nile virus, yellow fever, Zika virus, and Chikungunya virus. Older residents, children, and pregnant women are particularly at risk if they contract one of these diseases.
Mosquitoes need water to breed, so eliminate standing water from areas frequented by residents. They’re also weak fliers, so fans can help keep them distanced from areas where people gather. For more comprehensive protection, consider adding mosquito treatment to your pest control program to take a more proactive approach to reducing the threat around your property.
Ticks
Tick populations have surged in the last few years, and these blood-sucking arachnids can leave behind more than a red itchy welt. They transmit diseases like Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Don’t let the name fool you; ticks across the Northeast can pass along this bacterial disease that results in fever, headache, body aches, and rash.
Ticks do not fly or jump but can be picked up in overgrown vegetation. If your property includes densely wooded walking trails or bike paths, residents are at risk of the ticks that may be living there. Keep the grass close to paths trimmed and encourage residents to wear repellant when they venture out.
Setting up for Summer Fun
Before the outdoor activities are in full swing, take time to inspect outdoor areas in preparation for the peak season.
- Look for stinging insects swarming around nesting areas. Have a professional come to clear away any nests from the eaves of gazebos, picnic pavilions, and pool furniture.
- Check your dumpster rotation schedule and cleaning and maintenance plans to make sure you’re doing your part to minimize the odors and garbage that attract flies.
- After the next rain, look for standing water that could become a mosquito breeding ground and address any grading or drainage issues to make sure you don’t have ponding water.
- Work with your landscaping team to set a plan for maintaining summer vegetation and eliminate the dense undergrowth and tall grasses that can shelter ticks.
Pest pressure during the peak of summer is almost constant. All the key ingredients are in place for them to thrive, and if you’re charged with making sure they don’t, contact a professional to help. Western Pest Services can help you with that inspection ahead of the summer season or provide proactive approaches to controlling them all season long.