Tips for a pest-free summer

The spotted lanternfly”™s distinctive coloring makes it a seductive pest ”“ one, however, that threatens U.S. agriculture, particularly the wine industry. This is why the federal government wants people to squash spotted lanternflies on sight.

Along with the sunny days and warm weather, pesky bugs like mosquitoes, ticks, stinging insects, carpenter ants, termites and those dreaded spotted lanternflies are out in full force this season and can quickly turn a relaxing summer day into a frustrating battle.  

Last winter”™s mild temperatures enabled overwintering pests to survive and thrive, so pest activity is expected to be higher this summer than in previous years. But fear not. With a few simple preventive measures, you can still enjoy a pest-free summer:  

Ticks 

It”™s important to note that one in three tick bites occurs in the homeowner”™s yard. So always remember that you are vulnerable to contracting a tick bite whenever you are outside gardening, hiking, camping or even just playing in the yard with your dog. You can protect your pets, children ”“ and yourself ”“ from tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease by taking the following measures:  

  • Wear appropriate clothing: Dress in light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and closed-toe shoes in areas with tall grass or woods. 
  • Perform tick checks: Thoroughly inspect your body, clothing and pets after spending time outdoors. Promptly remove any ticks that may have latched on. 
  • Create a tick-free yard: Regularly mow your lawn, remove leaf litter and create a barrier with wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your yard. 
  • Bring in the professionals: Organic tick treatments applied by a professional can effectively reduce the tick population on your property. 

Mosquitoes 

Mosquitoes are responsible for five cases of domestically acquired malaria ”“ four in Florida, one in Texas ”“ which we haven”™t seen in the United States since 2003. In the Northeast, all we have to worry about is mosquitoes turning an outdoor gathering into an itchy nightmare. Keep your outdoor parties itch-free and relaxed by eliminating mosquito attractants from your backyard:  

  • Remove standing water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so empty and clean containers that collect water, such as flowerpots, birdbaths and buckets.  
  • Maintain gutters: Ensure that gutters are clean and free of debris to prevent water accumulation. 
  • Install screens: Fit windows and doors with screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home. 
  • Bring in the professionals: Organic mosquito applications are highly recommended. Applied by an expert, these treatments can target harboring sites such as standing water, shady and damp areas and the perimeter of your property. 

Stinging insects 

Nothing can ruin an outdoor gathering like a painful sting. For people with allergies, wasps or hornet stings can pose serious health risks. Stinging insects send more than 220,000 people to the emergency room every year. Of these visits, 60 result in death. Follow these tips to prevent a dangerous sting from occurring:  

  • Keep food and drinks covered: Stinging insects are attracted to food and sugary drinks. Cover them when outdoors. 
  • Avoid excessive fragrances: Strong perfumes, scented lotions and bright-colored clothing can attract stinging insects. Opt for unscented products and neutral clothing. 
  • Be cautious of nests: Common nesting sites include ceiling beams in attics, sheds, inside barbecues and under eaves and decks. Before hosting an outdoor party, you should thoroughly inspect these areas for stinging insects.  
  • Bring in the professionals: Stinging insect protection and management can help eliminate wasps and hornets from outdoor living spaces.  

Carpenter ants 

The ants are marching one by one, so beware, beware. This year’s rainy spring and rainy start to summer have helped carpenter ants thrive and multiply. Prevent an infestation by taking the following precautions:  

  • Eliminate moisture sources: Repair leaking pipes, improve ventilation and ensure proper drainage to reduce moisture levels that attract carpenter ants. 
  • Store firewood properly: Keep firewood away from your home and elevated from the ground to deter carpenter ants from nesting. 
  • Bring in the professionals: Seeing one or two carpenter ants doesn’t always mean there’s a nest in your home. Don’t panic if you spot them, as this might just be a stray ant or two. However, if you start seeing winged ants or see them consistently, this could be a sign of a bigger issue and then it’s best to take action and call in the professionals for ant management and elimination.  

Termites 

Termites are silent destroyers that can wreak havoc on your property and cause thousands of dollars in repairs. Protect your home with these preventive measures:  

  • Remove moisture: Similar to mosquitoes, termites are attracted to moisture-rich environments. Ensure proper ventilation in your home’s crawl spaces, attics and basements to reduce humidity levels. By controlling moisture levels, you can discourage a termite infestation.  
  • Remove wood-to-soil contact: Termites thrive on easy access to food sources, particularly wood, so remove any wood-to-soil contact around your property. This includes firewood, wooden debris and tree stumps. Store firewood away from your home, elevated from the ground and at least 20 feet from the house. 
  • Bring in the professionals: Regular termite inspections are necessary to prevent and control termites. A professional can identify early signs of termite activity and recommend appropriate treatments and preventive measures.  

Spotted lanternflies  

They”™re back: Spotted lanternflies have made their return and are ready to cause further destruction to botanicals and the American agricultural economy, which is why you”™re supposed to squash them if you see them. With the early onset of warmer weather, these invasive black-and-red spotted pests are predicted to become adults sooner than usual, creating even more havoc. Therefore, it”™s vital to follow measures that will mitigate against spotted lanternflies, including the following:  

  • Scrape off egg masses: Some of the hotspots for spotted lanternflies are tree trunks, outdoor furniture, playgrounds, building walls and even vehicles. Because the insects are reproducing at an alarming rate, removing egg masses will help to keep the numbers down. Egg masses vary in size but appear similar to gray patches of mud or cement. 

Wishing you a happy ”“ and pest-free ”“ summer. 

Jim McHale is a Cornell entomologist and president and CEO of JP McHale Pest Management. For more, contact JP McHale Pest Management at 800-479-2284 or visit https://nopests.com.