National Pest Management Association offers tips to prevent pests from spoiling the waning days of summer
August 19 (FAIRFAX, Va.) –As summer winds down, pest season is hitting its peak. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), summer pests of greatest concern to homeowners, according to a national research study, remain mosquitoes, ticks, ants, wasps/hornets and spiders. Mosquitoes and ticks, however, pose more severe consequences to public health and property than other summer pests.
Often considered bothersome due to their itchy, unsightly bites, mosquitoes can transmit West Nile Virus (WNV), which has appeared in forty-seven states across the U.S. The increased prevalence of WNV has made treatment of mosquito breeding sites critical to disease prevention. Ticks, another common yet potentially harmful summer pest, seek blood meals for sustenance. As transmitters of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, ticks infect humans through bites. Beyond health risks, certain ticks, such as the brown dog tick, can result in severe property infestations that prove difficult to remove.
“Summer pests are more than a nuisance,” said Greg Baumann, senior scientist for NPMA. “Although pests are considered part of summer, people must recognize the health and property implications they can have. Being proactive and vigilant in preventing these pests is the best way to reduce the risk of disease and potential infestations.
NPMA offers these tips to protect you from summer pests.
- Clean kitchen surfaces and seal food in containers to eliminate food supplies for summer pests. This will reduce the chances of cockroach, ant and rodent infestations.
- Eliminate sources of standing water around the home, which attracts mosquitoes that can transmit WNV.
- Check yourself, your children and your pets for ticks before coming indoors, especially if you've been in high grass or wooded areas. Many ticks are small and not easily seen. If a tick has latched on, completely remove it from the skin. Removal of ticks can be done by firmly grasping a tick with tweezers and pulling gently.
- If your pest problem persists, contact a local, licensed pest professional to safely eliminate the problem.
NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,000 members, was established in 1933 and in 2008 celebrates its 75th anniversary supporting the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property.
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