How to Protect your Space from Summer Pests

Understanding the Summer Surge in Pest Activity

The summer months can significantly increase pest pressures in California and Nevada. Here’s a closer look at why pests are more active and problematic during this time:

Increased Activity Due to Warmer Temperatures

• Faster Reproduction: Many pests, including ants and mosquitoes, have shorter breeding cycles in warmer weather, leading to faster colony expansion.
• Extended Foraging Hours: Longer daylight hours allow pests like flies and ants more time to forage for food, increasing their activity around homes and businesses.

Abundance of Food and Water Sources

• Accumulation of Outdoor Waste: Summer gatherings often result in more trash and food residues, which attract pests. Ensuring regular disposal and sealing of trash bins can mitigate this issue.
• Moisture from Irrigation: Summer lawn care and pool maintenance often lead to excess water, providing ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Managing irrigation systems to avoid standing water can help control their population.
• Barbecue and Picnic Spills: Food spills from outdoor eating areas are a feast for pests. Prompt cleanup after events reduces the attraction for pests.

Interaction with Human Activities

• Increased Human Presence Outdoors: More outdoor human activity can inadvertently lead to more opportunities for pests to access food, especially in areas where people eat or dispose of food.
• Gardening and Landscaping: Regular gardening can disturb pest nests, or conversely, create habitable spaces for pests if not maintained properly.

Advanced IPM’s Tailored Solutions for California and Nevada

At Advanced IPM, we recognize the unique pest control challenges presented by the diverse climates of California and Nevada. Our approach is customized and comprehensive, ensuring your space remains pest-free with sustainable methods:

Customized Pest Inspections

• Initial Property Review: We begin with a detailed inspection of your property, identifying specific areas susceptible to pest infestations.
• Area-Specific Strategies: Based on local conditions and your property’s unique characteristics, we develop targeted plans to tackle potential pest hot spots effectively.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Techniques 

• Preventative Controls: This involves the use of monitors, screens, and other physical barriers to prevent pests from accessing your facilities.
• Maintenance Practices: We recommend and implement changes in maintenance routines to reduce the environmental factors that attract pests, such as eliminating standing water, open air gaps in entryways, and ensuring proper waste management.

Regular Monitoring and Maintenance 

• Ongoing Inspections: Our experts conduct regular checks to identify and respond to signs of pest activity, ensuring early detection and management.
• Maintenance Programs: Tailored to the needs of your property, these programs ensure that preventive measures are always in place and functioning optimally.

Public Education and Awareness 

• Staff Training Sessions: We provide educational workshops to help your team understand and implement effective pest prevention practices.
• Resource Distribution: Educational materials are provided to enhance awareness about maintaining a pest-free environment.

Prepare Your Property for Warm Weather Pest Surges

As temperatures rise, so does pest activity. To effectively manage this surge and protect your home or business in California and Nevada, it’s essential to prepare in advance. Here are some targeted strategies to help minimize the impact of pests during the summer months:

Seal Entry Points

• Doors and Windows: Inspect all entryways for gaps or cracks. Use weather stripping or caulking to seal these areas and prevent pests like ants and flies from entering.
• Utility Openings: Ensure that openings for utilities and pipes are sealed off, as these can provide easy access for rodents and other small pests.

Eliminate Standing Water

• Gutters and Drains: Regularly clean out gutters and check drainage systems to prevent water accumulation, which attracts mosquitoes and other water-breeding pests.
• Pools and Water Features: Maintain proper chlorination and filtration to discourage mosquito breeding. Cover water features when not in use to reduce access.

Keep It Clean

• Garbage Management: Ensure that all garbage bins are tightly sealed and removed from entry points. Dispose of garbage regularly to avoid attracting pests with food odors.
• Food Storage: Store food in sealed containers and keep pantry areas clean without accessible food residues, which can attract ants and roaches.

Lanscaping and Outdoor Maintenance

• Trim Vegetation: Keep bushes, trees, and shrubs trimmed away from the building to reduce the risk of pests traveling from plants to your structure.
• Yard Upkeep: Regularly mow lawns and remove yard debris. High grass and clutter can provide hiding spots and breeding grounds for pests.