Seasonal Pests: Summer
As the heat of another North Carolina summer settles in, pest activity reaches its peak. You can count on Advance Pest Control to provide you with effective solutions to manage the summer’s most common invaders. We’re committed to helping you maintain a comfortable and pest-free home.
Mosquitoes
Summer is the height of mosquito season in our area. They thrive in the warm, humid conditions, making effective control essential for enjoying your outdoor spaces. Remember to eliminate standing water to reduce breeding sites.
What should you look for? Increased mosquito presence, especially at dawn and dusk. Pay close attention to areas with standing water like bird baths, clogged gutters and even puddles.
Advance Tree & Shrub offers mosquito treatments to significantly reduce mosquito populations around your property. Learn More.
Fleas & Ticks
The warm summer months provide ideal conditions for fleas and ticks to flourish. These pests can affect both your pets and your family, with ticks also posing risks of transmitting diseases. It’s important to take preventative measures both indoors and in your yard.
What should you look for? For fleas, look for excessive scratching in pets and small, dark insects in their fur or bedding. For ticks, be vigilant after spending time in wooded or grassy areas, checking both yourself and your pets.
For flea and tick control inside your home, contact us ( Advance Pest Control )for targeted treatments. For comprehensive tick treatments for your yard, our Advance Tree & Shrub division offers specialized applications.
Stinging Insects (Hornets, Yellow Jackets, Wasps)
Summer sees stinging insects like hornets, yellow jackets and wasps at their most active. Nest building is in full swing, and these insects can become aggressive when their nests are disturbed, posing a threat to people and pets.
What should you look for? Increased nest building activity under eaves, in sheds, in bushes, in the ground and other sheltered areas. Be cautious around flowering plants and outdoor eating areas where these insects are often foraging.
Ants (Fire Ants, Carpenter Ants, Sugar Ants)
Ants remain a persistent summer pest in North Carolina. Fire ants are particularly aggressive outdoors, while carpenter ants can continue to cause structural damage, and sugar ants are a constant nuisance in kitchens.
What should you look for? Fire ant mounds in your yard, trails of small sugar ants in your kitchen and pantry, and wood shavings or large black ants (carpenter ants) around damp wood.
Advance Pest Control offers specialized baiting treatments to effectively control various ant species. Check out our complete pest library.
Cockroaches
The warm, humid summer conditions are ideal for cockroach activity, both indoors and outdoors. American and German cockroaches are common in our region and can quickly multiply, posing sanitation and health concerns.
What should you look for? Cockroach sightings typically occur at night. Look for droppings (small, dark, pepper-like specks) in kitchens and bathrooms and a musty odor in infested areas.
Schedule an inspection today – Contact us!
Flies (House Flies, Fruit Flies, Drain Flies)
Flies are a common nuisance during the summer, attracted to food sources and decaying organic matter. House flies, fruit flies and drain flies can be bothersome and can also spread bacteria.
What should you look for? Increased numbers of flies around food preparation areas, garbage cans and drains. Small, gnat-like flies hovering near fruit or drains are also common.
For drain flies, whether it is an area used regularly or not, we recommend running hot vinegar or hot, soapy water down the drain at least once a week until you see a decrease in activity. While we cannot treat the drains themselves, we can treat entry points of your home and around the perimeter to help create a pest control barrier. Drain flies are common to unused drains where decaying matter will sit in the lines and inviting flies to the area.
Advance Pest Control can target breeding areas such as garbage areas, as well as treatments for entry points. Contact us for more information.
Spiders
Spider activity remains high throughout the summer as they hunt for insects and continue their breeding cycle. You’ll likely see various types of spiders both inside and outside your home.
What should you look for? Increased spider webs in corners, along baseboards, in garages and throughout outdoor living spaces. You may also notice spider egg sacs.
Not sure what kind of spiders are around your house? Ask Terry!
Your Pest-Free Summer Starts with Advance Pest Control
Summer is for enjoying the outdoors, not battling pests. Let Advance Pest Control provide proactive protection for your home and family against these common summer invaders.
Schedule a comprehensive pest control service today and enjoy a pest-free summer!
Termites
One of North Carolina’s BIG pest problems – Subterranean Termites. Beginning in March, termite swarmers emerge to establish new colonies. Spring is a critical time for termite prevention and detection.
Swarmers are winged reproductive termites and are often the first sign of a potential infestation. Active termite colonies can cause significant structural damage to homes over time. Early detection and treatment is crucial.
Remember: Termites don’t take a season off!
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Spring: Swarmers emerge, looking to start new colonies.
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Summer: Colonies are busy feeding and expanding underground.
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Fall: Activity continues as termites search for warm, moist areas near your home.
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Winter: Termites stay active below the frost line, often moving closer to heated structures.
Year-round protection is the only way to keep them from causing costly damage. Learn more.
What should you look for?
It’s common to find swarmers near windows or doors. Other signs of a potential termite problem include discarded wings, mud tubes on foundation walls and hollow-sounding wood.
Mosquitoes
As spring temperatures rise, mosquito activity increases significantly. Eliminating standing water around your property is essential for mosquito control and prevention.
What should you look for? To effectively control mosquitoes, it’s important be aware of both their activity and breeding habits:
Inspect your property for any standing water sources, including clogged gutters and downspouts, pet water bowls and children’s toys and old tires or containers.
It’s also wise to monitor areas with dense vegetation, these can provide shelter for mosquitoes.
Ladybugs
Ladybugs are useful insects that feed on aphids and other garden pests. However, they can become a nuisance if they enter homes seeking shelter.
What should you look for?
Increased numbers of ladybugs outdoors and potentially indoors.
Spiders
Spring triggers a significant increase in spider activity. You can expect to find them both indoors and out, building webs and searching for prey.
What should you look for?
Increased spider webs in corners, along baseboards and in outdoor areas such as soffits or on outdoor furniture. You may also notice small, cottony egg sacs in hidden areas.
Stinging Insects
Spring is when wasps, bees and hornets start building their nests. These insects can pose a threat to people and pets, especially those with allergies.
What should you look for?
Nest building activity under eaves, in trees and around structures.
Rodents
Spring is a prime breeding season for mice and rats, increasing the likelihood of home infestations. These rodents seek food and shelter indoors, posing both health and property risks.
What should you look for?
- Droppings: Small, dark pellets found along walls, in cabinets and under appliances.
- Gnaw marks: Evidence of chewing on wires, food packaging and wood structures.
- Nesting Materials: Shredded paper, fabric or insulation in hidden areas like attics or basements.
- Strange Noises: Scratching or scurrying sounds, especially at night.
When everything is working well to control pests, you’re doing things right for me. Thank You John, for always taking good care of me. I’ll see you again in about 3 months.
