What Are the Top Maryland Pests This Summer?
Maryland summers are supposed to be about going to the beach, baseball games, swimming, crabcakes, hiking, boating on the Chesapeake, and fun! But Maryland pests can ruin your time outside. Getting stung, bitten, or just harassed can ruin a picnic and your time outside. Pest control in Maryland is important not just for your health, but for your peace of mind so that you can have a great summer.
Here are four pests you should be on the lookout for to avoid having your summer fun ruined, or risk a painful sting or bite.
Bees, Wasps, and Hornets in Maryland
Nothing can ruin your time outside more than getting a nasty sting. Bald-faced hornets, yellowjackets, paper wasps, and bee stings send millions of Americans to the emergency room each year. Stinging pest activity is up this year due to the warmer and wetter spring.
Watch for nests built under eaves, around doors and windows, and around gutters. Stinging pests such as bald-faced hornets are quite aggressive and should be handled by pest control professionals. They can quickly build nests with hundreds of hornets capable of delivering a painful sting.
Yellowjackets can build a nest in the lawn, small gaps in siding, or a tree. They are also very aggressive. A beekeeper can safely remove honeybees nesting in the walls of your home.
Mosquitoes in Maryland
Perhaps the most common and annoying Maryland pest we are called about besides ants is mosquitoes. The warm, wet, and humid Mid-Atlantic weather creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes. The heavy and frequent rains we experience in Maryland and Virginia in the spring make conditions even better for mosquito breeding.
Watch for pooling water and dump buckets, planters, bird feeders, kids’ toys, and anything where there is standing water. Make sure gutters are clear and draining properly. Wear long-sleeve shirts and pants, avoid being outside around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, wear repellents that contain DEET, and consider a mosquito control program from a pest company such as My Pest Pros.
Ants in Maryland
Ant control is by far the most common pest problem in Maryland. From crashing your picnic to ants invading the kitchen, ants are inescapable. Most ants are simply looking for food sources or a dry place to nest. Ants are often found under grill or patio furniture covers, inside mailboxes or generators, as well as on kitchen counters and pantries. In these cases, they are being attracted to dry safe locations for nesting or food and water sources.
While most ants do not pose a danger, it’s a good idea to prevent or eliminate ant issues to keep your home (and food) safe. The primary ant we see in Maryland and Virginia that could be considered dangerous is the carpenter ant because they are wood-damaging insects and can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home as well as structural issues. Invasive fire ants have been reported in parts of Virginia, but have not made their way to Northern Virginia as of this time.
The best way to help prevent ant issues is to keep food covered, clean up spills and crumbs, and make sure water drains away from your home.
Ticks in Maryland
While many people think of ticks as warm weather pests, ticks are active all year. You are more likely to come in contact with ticks during warmer months when you spend more time outside in your yard, hiking, and going on walks. Tick bites can be painful and cause serious health issues such as Lyme disease.
Keeping tall grasses trimmed back around your home and wearing long pants while on walks can help prevent tick bites. Talk with your veterinarian about the best tick prevention for your pets. Inspect your clothes, body, and hair thoroughly after spending time outside.
Protect Your Family Against Maryland Pests
If you need pest control in Maryland, a local pest company such as My Pest Pros can help protect your family and home from these and other Maryland pests so that you can enjoy your time outside, and not bring these pests back inside. In Maryland pest control is a year-round issue. Our pest control programs can offer protection from ants, spiders, mosquitoes, stinging pests, termites, and more.
To learn more about pest control in Maryland and the pest solutions we offer, call us today at 703-665-4455 or contact us online.