Houston has a subtropical climate with warm summers ideal for outdoor activities. Unfortunately, this makes the city a perfect breeding environment for many pests. Mosquitoes, fleas, and termites thrive in warm weather and quickly wreak havoc on your home when left unchecked.

To help, we created this summer pest control guide to help you identify pests and prevent them from ruining your seasonal plans.

The Most Common Summer Pests in Houston

The first step to preventing an infestation in the summer is knowing what types of pests pose a threat. Among the many insects that call Houston home, there are four main types of summer house bugs and pests you’ll likely see more during the warmer season.

Cockroaches

The summer heat drives cockroaches indoors in search of food, water, and shelter. These critters also breed during the summer, so they are more prevalent during the warmer months.

Cockroaches are resourceful insects that quickly infest homes by entering through unsealed gaps around doors and windows or hitching a ride in groceries. They can spread disease and trigger asthma, so it is critical to eliminate them as soon as possible.

Fleas and Ticks

As flea and tick-infected mice, rats, and raccoons forage in the summer, they can enter neighborhood yards and cause an infestation. When your pets play outside in the dirt or grass, fleas and ticks can latch onto their coats, eventually making their way indoors. Fleas can cause hives, while ticks can cause Lyme disease, among other serious illnesses.

Termites

Termites cause billions of dollars of property damage in the US annually. These pests feed on cellulose, chewing through walls, floors, and furniture made of wood. When left untreated, a termite colony can cause wood structures in your home to fall apart.

Termites have straight antennae, six legs, uniformly straight waists, and equally-sized wings. Some types build homes underground and can go undetected for years while eating away at a home’s structural foundation. In Houston, the most common types are drywood and subterranean termites, and they typically swarm during the warmer months of the year.

Mosquitoes

A Houston summer pest control guide won’t be complete without mentioning mosquitoes. The city’s warm climate, high humidity, and abundant rainfall give these bugs a suitable environment to thrive.

Aside from causing itching and allergic reactions, these pests can also carry viruses and spread diseases like malaria and dengue fever. To prevent a potential mosquito infestation, eliminate standing water and regularly trim the vegetation around your property.

Summer Pest Control: What You Can Do to Eliminate Pests

Although the climate is a perfect environment for pests of all varieties, proactive measures can make it easier to keep them away. Here are some tips for pest control in Houston.

Managing Your Environment

You can keep pests at bay by reducing their access to food, water, and shelter indoors. Take the following steps to protect your home:

Seal gaps around doors and windows that allow pests to come indoors.
Keep the perimeter of your home clean. Trim plants and shrubs, and remove woodpiles, leaves, and other lawn clutter.
Clean up after meals and keep food covered with plastic wrap or foil after cooking.
Keep your trash bagged or covered.
Keep your bathroom clean, and make sure the septic tanks and drains are working properly.

Treatment

Most do-it-yourself remedies only scratch the surface of the problem. An extensive pest infestation requires the help of summer pest control professionals. They undergo training to exterminate the source of an infestation to get rid of pests for good.

Here are some of the most common signs that you need professional help:

Droppings: Pests may leave droppings around your home. Pest control professionals inspect droppings to identify what kind of pest has infiltrated your space.
Physical damage: Certain pests leave destruction in their wake, such as gnawed or damaged upholstery or flooring.
Unusual sounds: Hearing strange sounds can indicate a problem. For example, termites may make tapping noises when moving inside your walls.
Actual sighting: You might spot pests like cockroaches, mosquitoes, and termites. Failure to control their numbers immediately will give them more time to breed and wreak havoc in your home.

Professional Pest Control Services in Houston

Summer pest control doesn’t have to be an insurmountable challenge for Houston homeowners. When you need reliable and effective pest control services, rely on John Moore. We offer a wide range of services, including mosquito control and termite treatment.

After a free inspection, we can customize a control plan to exterminate the pests in your home with minimal impact on your daily activities. The next time you find yourself searching for “one-time pest control near me,” look no further than John Moore. Speak with an expert today to learn more!