The summer season is all fun and games until you discover unwanted pests in your home. Whether it’s an ant infestation around the kitchen sink or mosquitos that seem to have taken up residence on your property, these pests can be a real nuisance to deal with. To make sure you’re not unintentionally inviting them in, go through this checklist of the six most common summer pest mistakes homeowners make.
“Many people focus on treating pests after they appear, but preventing access to food, water, and entry points is often the most effective way to avoid summer infestations,” says Isaac Rockwell, an entomologist and pest expert. To enjoy a pest-free summer, here’s what not to do, according to three pest control experts.
- Isaac Rockwell is an entomologist and pest expert at Aptive Pest Control.
- Molly Keck is a board certified entomologist and an Integrated Pest Management Program Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
- Joshua Castelan is an associate certified entomologist with Fox Pest Control.
1. Misidentifying the Insect (and the Issue)
One of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to summer pests is misidentifying the insect and therefore misidentifying what the issue is. “Homeowners are often worried about spiders in their home; they either assume all spiders are medically harmful to humans (not true!) or they want to get rid of the spiders,” says Molly Keck, a board certified entomologist.
She goes on to explain that spiders are actually extremely beneficial and they are only there if there is food to attract them. “Worry more about the insects they are eating, and not the spiders,” Keck says. The issue boils down to people identifying insects incorrectly. “Knowing what species you are dealing with changes your management plan completely,” the expert notes. Learn which insects are predators and which ones are beneficial. “Killing the beneficials will lead to greater problems in the long run,” Keck warns.
2. Unintentionally Providing Food, Water, and Shelter
“One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is unintentionally giving pests exactly what they’re looking for: food, water, and shelter,” Rockwell says. He shares that during the summer, something as simple as leaving standing water in flower pots, bird baths, or clogged gutters can create ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes. “Overripe fruit left on the counter, overflowing trash bins, and food crumbs can quickly attract fruit flies and ants,” Rockwell adds.
The remedy is to make your home less appealing to pests before they have a chance to settle in. “Start by eliminating standing water around your property by regularly emptying containers, cleaning gutters, and refreshing bird baths,” Rockwell advises. If your property is plagued by mosquitos every summer, the entomologist says this is the easiest way to reduce their activity. “Inside the home, keep food sealed, wipe down kitchen surfaces regularly, and take out the trash frequently to discourage ants and fruit flies,” Rockwell says.
3. Not Cleaning an Outdoor Grill Promptly
Cleaning the grill may be the last thing you feel like doing after a backyard bbq, but pest control experts say taking a couple minutes to do so is worth it. “Common summer mistakes include not cleaning up quickly or thoroughly after a cookout,” says Joshua Castelan, an associate certified entomologist with Fox Pest Control. He reiterates that pests need food for survival—and grease residue on your grill is just the thing to attract them. “Even the smallest amount of grease on the grill can be a feast,” Castelan says.
4. Leaving Gaps and Cracks Unsealed
“Another common oversight is leaving small gaps around doors, windows, or utility lines unsealed,” Rockwell says. According to the pro, these tiny openings make it easy for ants, spiders, and other insects to find their way indoors. Check window and door screens for holes, as they can serve as entry points. To make sure pests aren’t getting in, Rockwell suggests doing a quick walk through your home’s exterior to seal cracks around doors, windows, and utility penetrations, since many insects only need a tiny opening to get inside.
5. Skipping Regular Outdoor Maintenance
“Keeping the area around a home clean and well maintained can go a long way,” Castelan says. Don’t skip regular outdoor maintenance tasks such as cleaning the gutters. Whether it’s a leaky outdoor faucet or a drainage issue, Rockwell recommends tackling the issue, especially when excess moisture around the home is involved. “Moist environments attract a wide range of pests, from ants to cockroaches and even termites,” he says. Simple maintenance habits don’t require expensive products, but Rockwell says they can dramatically reduce the likelihood of pests becoming a problem throughout the summer.
6. Using the Wrong Type of Outdoor Light Bulbs
If you keep porch lights on at night, make sure you’re using the right type of light bulbs. “Flying insects can be attracted to a home’s lights at night and that will in turn attract spiders to feed,” Castelan explains. You can either turn off the lights, or switch to a different type of bulb. “Changing the bulbs to be LED amber-colored can help minimize flying insects’ attraction to the home, thereby decreasing spider activity,” the entomologist says.
