Common Summer Garden Pests
In summer, most pests proliferate. Flying and crawling insects and mice and rats cause tremendous damage every year throughout the world.
In Australia, the summer months can be greatly enjoyable when you’re spending time outdoors. At the same time, they can also be disturbing due to the proliferation of many garden pests such as mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ants, and even rats and possums.
1. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes were once considered just annoying pests. Now, they are known for causing and spreading diseases that can even be fatal if left untreated by medical experts. Many mosquitoes come buzzing around in spring and mostly in the summer months because their eggs hatch and come out of hibernation during this season.
Controlling mosquitoes:
To make sure you enjoy the summer without these unwanted visitors, you have to keep all surfaces dry because their eggs hatch only on moist surfaces. Remove any stagnant or still, fresh water so they won’t have a place to lay their eggs. If you have a swimming pool or are living near swamps, take note that these are favourite breeding areas. Be sure to contact your town’s agents who are equipped to deal with pest control on a larger scale.
2. Flies
Flies, like mosquitoes, breed in damp places. They hatch in stagnant water, dirty garbage pails, animal refuse, overripe fruits, spoiled vegetables, and even piles of wet cut grass. They multiply quickly and become full grown within 10 days. One fly can produce 120 to 160 eggs at a time and these hatch into maggots within just a day. Do not allow them to fly and crawl around your home because they are also known carriers of serious diseases like cholera, dysentery, and tuberculosis.
Controlling flies:
Remove all possible breeding areas. Clean and tightly cover all garbage bins. Dispose of grass clippings immediately.
3. Fleas
Fleas are also common in summer. These wingless insects are very tiny which make them hard to detect until they have multiplied enough to be seen and felt. These pests are not only annoying to your pets, but also to your entire household.
Controlling fleas:
While a professional pest control operator will have no difficulty getting rid of them, you can also prevent fleas from coming into your home on your own by keeping your pet and your yard clean regularly. Clean all areas where fleas could possibly leap onto hosts, like the lawn while you are mowing grass and trimming bushes.
4. Ants
Ants love living in warmer regions, but they are extremely adaptable and can live in any climate. They are likely to enter your house through any tiny opening, especially the slits under doors, in window sills, and around pipes leading into the house. Some ants live in the walls of houses. Once inside, ants will eat almost anything. There are certain ants that eat mostly sweets, while others prefer grease and fats.
Controlling ants:
Ants are untiring workers. They move in a constant stream to and from a food supply. The best way to eradicate them from your house is to follow their trail, locate their nest or anthill, and destroy it.
If you are not sure about the cause of any of these pest problems, or if the problem seems too difficult to handle, it is best to consult a competent pest-control operator near you. Also, avoid using homemade mixtures or any sprays without an expert’s recommendations as this may do more harm than good.
