Top Five Guests Not Invited to Your Summer BBQ

Declare Your Independence from Pests this Summer

Summer has finally arrived, and both the weather and barbeque season are heating up. With the warmer weather, blooming trees and yummy burgers and hot dogs fresh off the grill, there are five unwanted guests that you do not want to crash your backyard oasis – stinging insects, fire ants, mosquitoes, flies and ants. “Stinging insects send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room every year,” said Stark Pest Expert, Scot Hodges. “These pests are not just a nuisance.  In addition to their painful stings, they can pose a real danger to those who suffer from allergic reactions.”

Stark Exterminators has put together information on these summer pests and tips for homeowners to declare their independence from pests.

1. Stinging Insects: This group includes wasps, yellow jackets and hornets.  These pests should all be given a wide berth as they may attack for no reason and are social stingers meaning they will attack in large numbers if they perceive danger. 
2. Red Imported Fire Ants: Look for fire ants in their signature tall mounds found in landscaped areas or around or near the foundation of a home. If their nest is disturbed, fire ants will painfully sting their victims multiple times in a matter of seconds, leaving behind red welts.
3. Mosquitoes: One of summer’s most notorious pests, mosquitoes are most known for the painful, itchy red bumps they leave behind on their victims, however this summer stinger can also transmit diseases like Zika Virus, West Nile Virus or Encephalitis. 
4. House Flies: Mostly considered a nuisance pest, house flies can also transmit bacteria from one food source to another. 
5. Ants: Common types of ants found in and around homes this time of year are argentine ants, carpenter ants and odorous house ants and they are all in a constant search for food making your outdoor barbeque very appealing. 

Tips to keep uninvited guests away and to take back your yard this summer:

·       Serve sugary drinks in covered pitchers and keep desserts in tightly sealed containers

·       Make sure all outdoor trash cans have a secure lid that is kept in place

·       Inspect your yard for telltale fire ant mounds

·       Remove sources of standing water, such as old tires, children’s wading pools, birdbaths and saucers of flowerpots, where mosquitoes can breed

·       Cut back or get rid of unnecessary vegetation around the home

·       Seal all cracks around the foundation of the home and ensure all screens are in good repair

·       Contact a licensed pest professional if you discover an infestation of any of these summer pests in or around your home.