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Hey this is Nicole with DoMyOwn.com. Summer brings longer days, warmer nights and unfortunately, more pest activity in and around the home. Luckily by being proactive, you can enjoy the season without letting pests take over.

Let’s start with one of the most annoying warm weather pests: Mosquitoes. These pests love standing water and shady areas, so it's smart to clean up birdbaths, gutters, and overgrown brush around your home. A few small changes can drastically reduce mosquito breeding grounds… and your chances of getting bitten. As you’re treating your yard, be mindful of pollinators like bees and butterflies. You can still use many pesticides safely… just avoid spraying blooming flowers and apply treatments early in the morning or late in the evening, when pollinators are less active. Not all insecticides are safe for edible plants, and many require a waiting period before you can harvest. Always read the label. if it’s not approved for what you’re growing, it’s time to choose a different product. 

Now, let’s talk about your pets. As they spend more time outdoors, the risk of flea and tick infestations goes up. They can quickly become a full-blown problem inside your home. Use flea and tick sprays and spot-on treatments that repel and kill these pests. 
A complete flea and tick treatment program includes treating outdoor areas that might be infested. Outdoors, remove yard debris and apply a liquid insecticide labeled for fleas and ticks in the infested areas. This could include under decks, under trees, in places where leaves and yard debris accumulate, or in dense shrubbery areas. 

Indoors, you can treat your home with flea and tick control products. Check out our flea and tick guides on DoMyOwn.com for precise instructions.

Keeping up with these treatments throughout the summer is one of the easiest ways to stop an infestation before it starts. 

Lawn pests also love the summer warmth. Japanese beetles lay their eggs in early summer, and their larvae, known as white grubs, will soon start feeding on your lawn. Preventative treatments can either target the beetles themselves or stop the grubs shortly after they hatch. If you're already seeing beetle activity, early summer is the time to act. When August arrives, it’s time to inspect for white grubs again. Many will have hatched by now and may already be feeding on grass roots. If you notice brown patches or spongy turf, dig around to check for grubs, and treat if needed. It’s better to catch the problem early than to repair extensive lawn damage later. 

If you suspect sod webworms in your lawn, this is prime time for damage. Their second generation is likely hatching during the summer months , so inspect any suspicious areas and treat if necessary.

Snakes also tend to be more active in summer, especially at night. To discourage them from hanging around, get rid of shelter like wood piles, thick brush, or lawn debris. And since snakes often follow their food sources, reducing rodent activity around your home can go a long way. 

Ants are also busy in the summer months, often making their way indoors in search of food and water. Stay ahead by cleaning up crumbs and spills, repairing entry points, and trimming plants back from your home’s exterior.

Keeping your yard clean and maintained is another big step in summer pest control. Regular mowing, removing debris, and storing outdoor items properly can eliminate places for pests to hide and nest. 

If you’re traveling, bed bugs are another concern. Before unpacking at a hotel or rental, take a few minutes to inspect the mattress and headboard area. It’s a simple habit that can save you from bringing an infestation home.

Moving into midsummer, it's a good idea to check for fly problems, especially around garbage. Keep trash bins clean and tightly sealed to avoid attracting flies, particularly after summer picnics or cookouts. And don’t forget the smaller flies, like fruit flies.
They can sneak in through tiny gaps and multiply quickly. Keep fruit stored away and set traps at the first sign of activity.

Late summer also means yellow jackets are out in full force. These wasps become more aggressive as they search for food. Bait stations placed away from your gathering areas can help reduce the swarm and keep your cookouts more peaceful 

And if you come across a wasp nest on your property, take caution. You can remove small nests yourself, but it’s best to spray in the evening when the wasps are less active. Always read and follow label instructions carefully and consider wearing a bee suit if the nest is large or in a risky spot.

With the expert tips from DoMyOwn.com, you can keep your home, yard, and family protected all season long. Subscribe to our channel for more DIY and product videos on pest Control, lawn care, and animal health. Thanks for watching!