Summer Pest Control
Summer is coming! You’re probably making vacation plans and looking forward to spending more time outside, but are you planning ahead for your summer pest control needs? The warm weather appeals to many insects just as much as it appeals to your family, and more time spent outdoors or traveling can mean greater exposure to them. Make sure you and your Pacific Northwest property are protected — contact PestLock today for a free inspection!
The Importance of Seasonal Pest Control
Just as different parts of the country have different pest control needs, so do the different seasons in the year. The change in weather brings with it a change in the pests you are likely to face, and each species requires a targeted approach. At PestLock, we are dedicated to finding an effective, eco-friendly solution for whatever pests you face in any season. From Portland to Vancouver and beyond, we’re here to offer the seasonal pest control solutions you need. If you don’t see your city listed among the areas we serve, contact our team — we’re always looking to expand our services!
Common Summer Pests in the Pacific Northwest
Summer is high time for many different types of pests. Knowing what to look for and how to identify the possibilities can help you effectively address a threat before it becomes a big problem. Keep watch for these common pests, and contact the professionals at PestLock as soon as possible to invest in a targeted solution!
Ants
Ants can be a year-round problem, but carpenter ants in particular tend to appear in the warmer months. While other species, such as odorous house ants or moisture ants, can contaminate your kitchen or pantry while foraging for food, carpenter ants pose a much more serious problem. They don’t eat wood like termites, but they do tunnel into it to build their nests, and can therefore cause significant structural damage to your property.
Watch for signs of tunneling, such as piles of wood shavings or insulation near baseboards in your home or business, and contact PestLock immediately if you suspect a carpenter ant invasion. You can also cut off sources of food and water for ants by storing food in air-tight containers, cleaning up crumbs and spills quickly, and fixing any leaking pipes as soon as you find them. A PestLock team member can work with you to find a solution that targets the entire colony if it’s too late for preventative measures.
Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are one of the easiest summer pests to spot, with distinctive black bodies and orange or red markings. Unlike carpenter ants, they are more of an annoyance than a true danger, but no one likes finding nibbled-upon plants or spots of excrement staining the walls or curtains.
Boxelder bugs are attracted to warm currents of air, and are likely to enter your building through cracks and holes in the exterior as the weather starts to cool in late summer. Finding and sealing any possible entry points is a great pest prevention step that can fend of boxelder bugs and a range of other insects.
Bed Bugs
This season, keep watch for one of the most dreaded pests of all: bed bugs. While they can be an all-season problem, bed bugs tend to be more prolific in warmer months. They are hard to spot and hard to get rid of. As a homeowner, traveler, or hotel owner, you should be on the lookout. If you do find signs of an infestation, PestLock offers both residential and commercial bed bug extermination services.
Bed bugs like to hide near the seams of mattresses, between sheets, in curtains, and in any nooks and crannies they find in bed frames or furniture. Because they are so small – similar to an apple seed in size and color – it can be hard to spot an infestation by identifying the pests themselves. You should watch for dark red spots on bed sheets or signs of bed bug bites.
Stinging Insects
Bees, wasps, and hornets are all common summer Pacific Northwest pests. They tend to build their nests in or near homes, and the more time you and your family spend outside enjoying the warm weather, the more at risk you are of being stung. All stinging insects can become defensive if they feel their nest is threatened. Yellow jackets can be particularly aggressive, bald-faced hornets have the ability to shoot venom at perceived threats, and both are found throughout the Pacific Northwest.
You should never try to remove the nest of a stinging insect on your own. If you do identify the nest of a bee, wasp, or hornet species, contact PestLock immediately for professional assistance. If you are looking for ways to avoid confronting any stinging insects, then there are steps you can take to make your home and yard more inhospitable, such as making sure all trash cans and other waste bins are sealed securely.
Termites
Termites swarm in the spring, and while their activity tends to peak in this season, it doesn’t mean they disappear when spring turns into summer. Termites can be very active well into the fall, using mud tubes to hide beneath the soil and avoid extreme temperatures. Like carpenter ants, termites can cause serious damage to your home or business, so it’s essential that you address the problem as soon as possible.
There are a few species of termites you may face here in the Pacific Northwest area, but the one thing they have in common is an appetite for wood, and there is plenty of it to be found in any given building. Look for signs of damage to spot an infestation. You can also discourage a termite colony from making its way onto your property by clearing debris from your yard, placing any woodpiles at a distance, and cutting trees and shrubs that away from your home.
Enjoy a Pest-Free Summer
At PestLock, our priority is finding safe, effective, and environmentally friendly solutions to your pest control problems. Whether you’re facing an ant infestation or a nest of unfriendly yellow jackets, our highly trained team is here to help. We have more than 20 years of experience in the pest control business and an unmatched dedication to serving the Pacific Northwest community. Choose a pest control service you can trust — contact PestLock today, and schedule your free inspection!