Summer Insects: Learn What Bugs to Avoid When the Temperatures Rise

Summer is a time for outdoor fun. Unfortunately, time spent outdoors means an increased exposure to insects. These pests come in all shapes and sizes; some are annoying, some bite, and some can even spread disease. Read on to learn which summer insects you should watch out for this season.

Ticks

Ticks are tiny, hard-to-spot insects that feed on the blood of mammals by latching onto exposed skin. By feeding on blood, deer ticks are linked with the spread of Lyme disease while dog ticks carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Protect yourself from ticks by covering your skin with long pants and sleeves while outside. It’s vital to perform thorough tick checks after time spent outdoors. This involves scanning every inch of skin (scalp included) for ticks and removing them immediately to reduce your risk of infection.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes aren’t just the deadliest animal on the planet; they’re the leading cause of death, too. Notorious for the mosquito-borne illnesses they spread, at the very least they leave itchy welts behind for you to scratch for days. At their worst, however, they have been known to spread the West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever, dengue, encephalitis, and Zika. The people in your family are not the only ones at risk; mosquitoes are the insect that spreads the potentially fatal disease heartworm to domesticated dogs.

Stinging Insects

Bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets make their most frequent appearances during the later months of the summer. These pesky creatures are beneficial insects, but they sure are annoying. These insects prefer to steer clear of humans and tend to build their nests in off-the-beaten-path spots. When a picnic is in full swing, however, they tend to venture over to see what they can eat. Stinging insects tend to only sting when they feel threatened or are protecting their nest, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. These stings can range from painful to full-on allergic reactions that require medical attention. Small children and elderly people are especially vulnerable to stings, so they should be vigilant during their time outdoors.

Need Help in Avoiding These Summer Insects?

The pest control experts at Green Pest Solutions know what an inconvenience insects can be. We want to help you enjoy a safe, pest-free summer without being hounded by buzzing, biting bugs. Give us a call today at 855-312-7157 to find out how we can help make insects a memory!