In summer, stinging insects like bees and wasps reach their peak population and build nests. Flies also spawn in animal waste, garbage, and rotting food at this time of year.
Rodents seek shelter as temperatures drop. Thorough Colonial Pest Control in the fall helps prevent rodents from wintering inside homes.
Spring
Spring is a time of new growth, but it’s also the time for many pests to wake up, start breeding, and spread out. Some of these pests may have been waiting all winter for warm weather, while others are looking for food and a place to hide.
Rodents like rats and mice begin to make an appearance as the temperatures rise and their reproductive cycle begins. They are especially common after a mild winter. Fleas, stinging insects and stink bugs also wake up with warmer weather and may be more active in your home. Stink bugs can eat the bark of trees, and be particularly dangerous in groves of pine, cedar and oak where they can cause serious damage to trees and homes.
Cockroaches, flies and ants also reach their peak population during the summer as they forage for food both indoors and out. These pests can contaminate food and spread diseases, which poses a big challenge to food and hospitality businesses.
Maintaining a clean and sanitary business is one of the best ways to prevent a pest infestation. Routinely checking for signs of pests, such as droppings, gnaw marks or nests can help to identify problem areas before they become an issue. Also, storing food properly can help reduce the risk of contamination from pests, such as cockroaches or stored product insects.
Seasonal pest control practices can help to keep pests out of your business, too. Keeping your building clean, removing debris and trimming vegetation are all important to ensure that pests have no places to hide or breed. This is especially true as the weather gets warmer, as many pests are more likely to move inside if they can’t find food or water outside.
For example, mice can fit through surprisingly tiny holes and gaps in exterior walls and attics. In addition, they often seek shelter in basements or other dark and damp spots. Checking and sealing any cracks in your home during the spring can prevent these pests from getting in and causing costly problems. For outside, trimming back shrubbery and removing debris that can serve as bridges between your yard and your home should be a top priority. This is also a good time to get rid of any weeds or other vegetation that could be harboring pests, such as a rodent’s nest.
Summer
Summer’s warm weather brings out many outdoor pests, including ants, mosquitoes, flies, and stinging insects. These pests have high populations and are more aggressive than they are in the spring. Additionally, ant colonies may be larger in the summer as they search for food near homes. As a result, an ant infestation can lead to food contamination, painful bites, and other problems in the home or garden.
Stinging insects like yellow jackets, hornets, and paper wasps also peak in activity during the summer, posing a dangerous threat. Other common stinging insects include flies and bees. To reduce the number of stinging insects around your home, remove rotting debris and cut back overgrown shrubs that provide shelter to these pests.
Pests that were hiding out in the spring now come out into the open to look for food and a place to overwinter. Mosquitoes breed and thrive in the warm, moist conditions of summer. Termites swarm and start new colonies in the spring and summer. Subterranean termites are particularly dangerous to structures as they eat the wood that supports them.
Other seasonal pests that come out in the summer include stink bugs and boxelder bugs, which stain surfaces with a reddish-orange color. Bed bug infestations also peak in the summer as people travel and bring them home from hotels or airplanes.
Seasonal pest control practices are an essential part of any business that wants to protect its property and customers from harm. In addition to regular pest control services, business owners should keep the surrounding area clear of food debris and other attractants. This includes sweeping up leaves and other debris, keeping trash cans closed, and not leaving food out overnight. It is also important to keep landscaping trimmed to reduce the risk of attracting pests and to prevent them from accessing areas of your building. These preventive measures are a great way to keep pests out of your business and help it stay pest-free all year.
Fall
The cooling weather of fall encourages pests to seek shelter inside homes and businesses, looking for warmth and food. Depending on the type of pest, this could be harmful to occupants. Rodents, for example, can spread diseases and chew through wood supports and electrical wires, while stinging insects like hornets, bees, and wasps can cause allergic reactions. Infestations of these critters and others can lead to tenant dissatisfaction, costly repairs, and even lease terminations.
Cockroaches are a common fall pest, and they thrive in warm, dark places that are usually near food sources. They are especially drawn to kitchens and dining areas. Other pests that may enter buildings include ants, stink bugs, and spiders.
Proper pest prevention practices can prevent these unwanted visitors from entering a property. Keeping food in airtight containers, sweeping up crumbs and spills, and sealing entry points are simple but effective ways to reduce the risk of a pest infestation.
Performing these practices in the spring and summer can be helpful, but it is important to make pest control a year-round task. This is why many responsible property owners hire professional pest control services to protect their structures from pests throughout the entire year.
In addition to regular residential pest control services, it is also a good idea to have your crawl space inspected and encapsulated. This can help keep moisture at bay, which is another factor that helps pests thrive. It is also a good idea to have the exterior of your home or business sealed up and painted, as this can help stop pests from making their way into a structure. The longer a pest infestation is left unchecked, the more damage it can do to a structure. That is why pest control should be a part of every New Jersey homeowner or commercial property owner’s annual maintenance plan. Contact a professional pest control company today to learn more about preventative pest control in New Jersey. This will save you time, money and headaches in the long run. We look forward to protecting your properties!
Winter
With the onset of winter, many pests become dormant or hibernate. However, this does not mean your home is free from pest infestations. In fact, it is a crucial time to practice proactive pest control measures. This includes keeping the house clean and repairing any broken screens on doors and windows. It also means reducing indoor humidity levels with dehumidifiers and running exhaust fans. These actions will keep moisture from attracting pests, such as cockroaches, that thrive in warm and humid environments.
While some pests go dormant during the winter, others will move indoors in search of warmth and food. Rodents, ants and termites are commonly seen entering homes in the winter. These pests are usually attracted to food scraps and other organic materials that can be found inside the home. This is why it is important to store all food in metal cans and not leave pet food out on the porch.
The winter is also a great time to evaluate any exterior damage that needs to be repaired and to seal up any openings that pests can use to get into the property. Batzner’s pest control teams can help with this by inspecting and sealing any points of entry such as cracks and gaps, especially in areas where utilities and pipes enter the structure. It is also a good time to trim shrubs and trees, remove fallen leaves, and store firewood away from the house. This will prevent raccoons from raiding trash cans and gaining access to the interior of your home.
Another important factor to consider is that as the weather becomes colder, many overwintering insects (such as Asian lady bugs, stink bugs, and boxelder bugs) will start emerging from attics and crawl spaces in search of warmer temperatures. This can lead to an increase in pest populations that need to be controlled by a professional. It is a great time to have your attic, crawl space and basement treated for these overwintering pests to avoid an early spring infestation.