Common Summer Pests In Georgia

Common Summer Pests In Georgia

While most people associate summer with warmer weather and more time spent outdoors, it also marks peak season for many Georgia pests. Here are 5 of the most common summer pests in Georgia and how to prevent them.

Mosquitoes

Mosquito season peaks in summer (peak months are June to September) with activity at hits highest. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. These pests transmit serious diseases to both humans and pets. They also breed in standing water found around your home. You can get rid of mosquitoes this summer by:

  • Getting rid of any standing water around your home.
  • Wearing mosquito repellent when spending time outdoors.
  • Avoiding any outdoor activities at dawn and dusk.

Ticks

Ticks are active from late spring to early fall. These summer pests are known to transmit serious disease to humans and pets. They are commonly found wooded areas and areas with tall grass. Avoid ticks this summer by:

  • Wearing long sleeves and pants.
  • Checking for ticks after any time spent outdoors.
  • Routinely checking your pets for ticks.
  • Using vet approved tick preventatives on your pets.

Spiders

Spiders are common in summer as they are often driven from their hiding places by the warmer temperatures (e.g. your attic). While spiders are beneficial to have around as they eat other common pests found in your home, they can be a nuisance. Keep spiders at bay this summer by:

  • Sealing around pipes and under doors.
  • Using a dehumidifier to keep moisture out.
  • Decluttering your home.
  • Sweeping cobwebs down as soon as they appear.

Ants

Ants emerge in the summer in search of food (particularly sweets and grease) that they take back to their colonies. This is why they are often found in kitchens. You can prevent ants by:

  • Getting rid of debris around foundations.
  • Keeping your kitchen clean and crumb free, especially counters and appliances.
  • Storing food in sealed containers.
  • Trimming branches back from the exterior walls and roof of your home.

Stinging Pests

Stinging pests, such as wasps, hornets, bees, and yellow jackets, are prominent in the summer months. These pests will often forage for food during the warmer weather. Avoid stinging pests by:

  • Covering food and drinks when outdoors.
  • Avoiding sweet or flowery smelling perfumes.
  • Repairing holes in decking, siding, and screens to eliminate nesting spots.
  • Maintaining routine lawn care.

Don’t let summer pests ruin your time outdoors. Contact your local pest control company today for a free evaluation.

What Pests Do I Need to Lookout for this Summer?

What Pests Do I Need to Lookout for this Summer?

Summer is a season that brings with it many joys, such as longer days and warmer weather. Unfortunately, it also brings a variety of pests that can invade your home and make life unpleasant. Let’s discover some common summer pests and share tips for preventing them.

Ants

Ants are one of the most common pests found in homes during the summer months. They are attracted to sweet, sticky substances and can quickly become a nuisance if they find a food source in your home.

How to Prevent Ants:

  • Keep your kitchen and dining areas clean and free of crumbs and spills.
  • Seal all food containers and take out the garbage regularly.
  • Locate their entry point and seal it off.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are another common summer pest that can be a serious health concern. They can carry diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika virus, so it’s important to take steps to prevent them.

How to Prevent Mosquitoes:

  • Remove standing water from around your home, as this is where mosquitoes breed.
  • Use screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
  • Wear long-sleeved clothing and use insect repellent when spending time outdoors.

Ticks

Ticks are small, blood-sucking pests that can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. They are often found in wooded areas but can also be found in your yard if you have tall grass or brush.

How to Prevent Ticks:

  • Continue to mow your lawn and remove any debris or leaf litter where ticks might hide.
  • Wear long-sleeved clothing and use insect repellent when spending time outdoors in areas where ticks are prevalent.

Bees and Wasps

Bees and wasps are important pollinators, but they can also be a nuisance and a health concern.

How to Prevent Bees and Wasps:

To prevent bees and wasps, keep your trash cans sealed and dispose of food scraps properly. If you have a nest on your property, call a professional to remove it rather than attempting to do it yourself.

Spiders

Spiders are often found in dark, damp places like basements and crawl spaces. They can be beneficial by eating other pests, but some species can be dangerous if they bite.

How to Prevent Spiders:

  • Keep your home clean and free of clutter.
  • Seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation, walls, and doors to keep spiders from entering.

If you have a pest problem that you can’t control on your own, contact your local professional pest control company for a customized summer pest prevention plan!

Stinging Pests You’ll Encounter this Summer

Stinging Pests You’ll Encounter this Summer

When it comes to stinging pests, there are a few common culprits that people encounter: wasps, hornets, and bees. While these insects may look similar, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Understanding the differences between them and knowing what to do if you encounter one can help you stay safe.

Wasps

Wasps are slender, black, and yellow insects with smooth bodies and narrow waists. They are social insects that live in large nests with multiple females. While they are not typically aggressive, they will defend their nests if they feel threatened. Some species of wasps, like yellow jackets, can sting multiple times and their stings can be painful and potentially dangerous for those with allergies.

Hornets

Hornets are larger than wasps and are usually black with yellow or white markings. They have a distinctive, round body shape and are known for their powerful sting. Like wasps, hornets are social insects that live in large nests. They can be aggressive if they feel their nest is being threatened, and their sting can be particularly painful.

Bees

Bees are typically plumper and fuzzier than wasps and hornets and are usually brown or black with yellow markings. Unlike wasps and hornets, bees are not naturally aggressive and will only sting if they feel threatened. Bees are important pollinators and play a vital role in our ecosystem.

What do I do if I encounter a stinging pest?

If you encounter a stinging insect, it’s important to stay calm and avoid swatting or provoking it. If you are near a nest, move away slowly and quietly. If you are stung, remove the stinger by scraping it with a flat object like a credit card, wash the area with soap and water, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.

How to Prevent Stings:

  • Avoid wearing perfume or bright colors
  • Keep food and drinks covered when eating outdoors
  • Do not swat at a stinging insect as it increases the likelihood of an aggressive reaction
  • Do not attempt to remove a colony or hive by yourself

If you have a severe allergic reaction to a sting, seek medical attention immediately.

By understanding their behaviors and taking precautions to avoid them, we can coexist safely. If you have a problem with a nest or infestation, it is best to call your local professional pest control company for safe removal.

The Differences Between Bumblebees and Honeybees

The Differences Between Bumblebees and Honeybees

Bumblebees and honeybees are both important pollinators that play a critical role in our ecosystem. However, they are different in several ways, from their physical appearance to their behavior and habitat. Let’s explore the differences between bumblebees and honeybees.

Physical Appearance

One of the most obvious differences between bumblebees and honeybees is their physical appearance. Bumblebees are larger and hairier than honeybees, with rounder bodies and more robust wings. Their bodies are covered in dense hair, which makes them look fuzzy, and they have a distinct black and yellow striped pattern.

Honeybees appear smaller and have slimmer bodies. These insects have a distinctive golden color and a more pronounced abdomen. Their wings are also narrower and more translucent than bumblebees.

Behavior

Both types of bees also differ in their behavior. Bumblebees are social insects that live in small colonies with a few hundred bees. They are active during the day and prefer to forage on flowers that are close to the ground. They are also excellent pollinators for plants that require a buzz pollination technique, such as tomatoes and blueberries.

Honeybees, on the other hand, are highly social insects that live in large colonies with tens of thousands of bees. They are active during the day and prefer to forage on flowers located higher up. They are also known for their ability to communicate with each other using a complex system of dances, which helps them find food sources.

Habitat

Honeybees and bumblebees have different habitat preferences due to their distinct nesting behaviors. Honeybees prefer to nest in cavities such as hollow trees or rock crevices; whereas bumblebees prefer to nest in underground burrows, such as abandoned rodent holes, or in above ground areas like abandoned bird nests.

If you believe you have found a honeybee or bumblebee nest on your property, give our team a call today for a safe bee relocation and removal.

Atlanta Honeybee Relocation Services Benefits

Atlanta Honeybee Relocation Services Benefits

Honeybees play a vital role in our ecosystem, as they are responsible for pollinating various crops we eat daily, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts! Unfortunately, sometimes these insects will build their colonies in inconvenient places, such as inside our walls, eaves, and roofs. Luckily, there is a safe and sustainable solution when these situations happen for both our home and the bees with Honeybee Relocation Services. Learn more about honeybee relocation services and how they can support your home!

What is Honeybee Relocation Services?

Relocation services involve carefully removing honeybees and their colonies from unwanted locations and relocating them to more suitable environments for them to produce their honey and live. This service must be performed by a certified beekeeper who has the knowledge, skills, and equipment required to handle these insects safely and effectively.

What are the Benefits of Honeybee Relocation Services?

Relocation services help the preservation of honeybees. These insects are essential to our food system, making it important to continue efforts to maintain a healthy bee population! Instead of eliminating these insects, their preservation will help continue their pollination of our crops and sustain our environment.

How Does Honeybee Relocation Services Work?

A certified beekeeper will arrive at your home to inspect and locate the honeybees and other factors before removing the colony. On the day of the relocation, your beekeeper will begin accessing the colony if it’s found in walls or attics. Once the beekeeper has access, they will carefully remove the honeybees from their current location, which may involve physically removing the bees from their colony or using special tools to place them into the bee box. Once they have been safely removed, the beekeeper will transport them to a new location where a hive will be set up to provide a suitable environment for the bees to thrive!

Honeybee relocation services aim to safely remove and relocate these insects without harming them or damaging your home. If you’re interested or would like more information on Honeybee Relocation Services, reach out to your local pest control company.

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