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AUGUST 30 2024 / PEST AND TERMITE
Labor Day represents the unofficial end of summer. For many of us, it's our last chance to host backyard cookouts, pool parties, and outdoor gatherings. But these festive occasions can be easily disrupted by unwanted, giant, stinging insects and other pests that sting, buzz, and bite -- like the mosquitoes, ticks, and cockroaches that thrive in warmer temperatures.
According to a 2024 Yelp infestation index, searches for pest-proofing surged 165% nationally amid rising humidity and heat waves this summer. The survey predicted cockroach, wasp, and mosquito infestations as some of the year's top pest problems. Recent media coverage of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus (WNV) across various states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions has caused even greater concerns, leading many to search for information on how to best protect themselves and their loved ones while spending time outdoors.
To help prevent these troublesome pests from ruining your holiday fun, the experts at American Pest have put together a comprehensive guide on how to plan ahead and keep the bugs away this Labor Day.
The truth is, your backyard can be a prime breeding ground for pests. The condition of your outdoor space can impact the level of your infestation problem. To find the best way to get rid of flies and to prevent bothersome pests from spoiling your Labor Day celebration, you have to understand what attracts them in the first place.
For example, mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water, so clogged gutters, pet bowls, kiddie pools, and old tires can become breeding sites for them. Ticks are drawn to leaf litter, wood piles, and tall grass, while ants are attracted to leftover food and trash cans. Similarly, wasps have their preferred environments and are fond of fallen fruits and flowering plants.
Once you've diagnosed the problem, it's time to identify the most suitable pest-prevention approaches to repel mosquitoes and other pests from putting a damper in your holiday plans. If you're overdue for a backyard deep clean, take some time to dry up areas that collect moisture, trim back overgrown branches and plants, mow your lawn, and get rid of clutter.
Paying attention to small details can make or break your potential for pest problems on Labor Day.
When it comes to food, make sure you dispose of plates and cans quickly after use and keep trash cans covered and 20 to 25 feet away from the party area. Food served outdoors should be kept in sealed containers. Spilled food should also be cleaned up and surfaces wiped down as soon as possible. To keep wasps away from the dessert and cocktail table, you can hang yellow jacket traps around the perimeter of your party area.
For added protection, provide a generous supply of insect repellent for guests this Labor Day, remembering to check for effective ingredients before purchasing the best bug spray at the store. You can learn more about how to use repellent correctly, here.
Low tech measures, like placing portable fans at your outdoor gathering, can help keep mosquitoes away. Dr. Daniel Kiefer, a PhD entomologist and our Technical Director at American Pest, says another temporary strategy to combat pest infestation is to make a soap spray.
"Mild soaps can be used quite well as surfactants," he shared. "Use in the form of a mild soap solution (preferably liquid dish soap as a base) applied as a contact spray on small insects like aphids and mealybugs. It doesn't not have a residual effect and does not harm pollinators if they are not directly sprayed at."
A thorough post-party cleanup is equally important as the prep work you'll do for your cookout. Much like what you'd do before and during your Labor Day celebration, you should dispose of food scraps, garbage, and any leftover debris that might attract pests. Also, remove standing water from play areas to keep mosquitoes away.
These Labor Day pest prevention measures can significantly help with insect management by reducing your risk of encountering unwanted pests. However, remember that these scrappy, DIY methods won't beat our proactive home pest-control service plans. If you want to stop worrying about bugs entirely and enjoy the last days of summer pest-free, call us directly and get a free estimate today.
