Tips for Bug-Free Outdoor Living

Stay bug-free in your Springfield VA backyard with tips from Ehrlich pest Control, formerly Connor's.More than ever, families are looking to spend time in their backyards, porches, and patios. With the weather still mild, you likely want to take advantage of outdoor activities as much as possible. Unfortunately, pests are out in full-force right now. Wasps, mosquitoes, ticks, and flies can quickly turn an enjoyable time spent in your outdoor living space sour! For that reason, it’s important to learn how to implement pest prevention into your backyard maintenance routine. At Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s, we want to help our customers comfortably enjoy their time spent outdoors without the presence of pests. Keep reading for our top bug-free outdoor living.

What Pests Are in My Backyard?

If you are going to be spending time outside, you can be sure pests will be out and about as well! Insects are drawn to a number of things right in your backyard. The most common pests you are likely to come across in your backyard include: 

8 Ways to Get Bug-Free Outdoor Living

Pest prevention is just as important outside as it is inside your home. To keep pests away from your garden, barbecue area, deck, or other outdoor living space, implement the following tips.

  1. Apply an insect repellent. Any repellent with DEET will help repel mosquitoes and ticks.
  2. Remove standing water. Mosquitoes only need a half inch of standing water to breed.
  3. Keep your lawn and shrubs trimmed. Overgrown grass or vegetation provides mosquitoes and ticks with shelter.
  4. Be on the lookout for ant hills. Even a tiny mound can contain thousands of ants inside.
  5. Thoroughly inspect wood structures. Your deck or porch may be vulnerable to termite or carpenter bee activity.
  6. Regularly clean up your outdoor space. Crumbs or spilled liquids will attract ants and other insects.
  7. Burn a few citronella candles. While not a long-term solution, this will repel mosquitoes during outdoor activities.
  8. Try replacing light bulbs. Yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights will not attract as many insects.

Staying Pest-Free in Your Yard

It can be overwhelming to know how to keep pests away from your outdoor living space. If you find yourself with a full-blown pest problem, it’s time to contact your local exterminators. Here at Ehrlich, our team is committed to providing our customers with pest-free living both inside and outside their home.

The Surge of Summertime Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a common summer pest in Springfield and Sterling VA - Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor'sDid you know that cockroaches are more active than ever in the summertime? While roaches are certainly a year-round pest, the summer heat encourages them out even more. Here in Virginia, both homeowners and business owners deal with cockroach problems, especially in the summer months. Although roaches breed year-round, the reproduction rate goes up during the summer. They also will come inside to escape the heat, making an infestation more likely during these months than ever. To learn more about the surge of roaches in the summer and what all you can do to keep them away, keep reading for tips from Ehrlich Pest Control, formerly Connor’s.

Cockroaches in Virginia Summertime

Cockroaches are one of the most common pest problems in residential and commercial properties. They also can adapt to a wide variety of climates and environments. So why are they more populous in the summer? Most roach species are drawn to warm or moist environments, which is why they frequently inhabit bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Many cockroaches are less active in the winter, but rising temperatures encourage them to resume activity. When there is extreme heat, cockroaches that otherwise stay outdoors will flood inside in search of food, water, and shelter. This is why we get so many calls for roach infestations in the summer.

Prevention Tips for Cockroaches

A cockroach problem is anyone’s worst nightmare. To avoid the frustration of a roach infestation in your property this summer, follow these tips to keep them out:

  1. Clean your property regularly. Make sure your kitchens and bathrooms are free of any spills or crumbs. Avoid clutter and messes.
  2. Thoroughly inspect the perimeter of your home and seal cracks and crevices. Seal windows and doors or install screens.
  3. Always pick up pet bowls after feeding times, and avoid leaving the pet food out overnight or for days at a time.
  4. Securely store food items in airtight containers, and refrigerate any unsealed food.
  5. Ensure your garbage is sealed with a tight-fitting lid, and routinely take it out when full.
  6. Quickly fix any leaky pipes or clogged rain gutters to avoid moisture problems that attract roaches.

Need to Control a Summer Cockroach Infestation?

Seeing just one cockroach in your property is usually a bad sign there are many, many more nearby. If you are dealing with a cockroach problem this summer, it’s not just their presence you need to worry about. Certain roaches carry bacteria and germs that can contaminate food and sicken members of your family. They also are tied to allergic reactions! To get rid of a summer roach problem, contact your local cockroach exterminators for assistance.