We're officially halfway through the year and that means it's the height of summertime in Georgia. As you're getting outside more and enjoying a dip in the pool or a picnic at the park, you may notice you're not alone. July is a peak time for ants and mosquitoes to be making themselves comfortable, which means you're probably the exact opposite and looking for some relief. Here are some ways you can keep your home and outdoor areas more about play and less about pests!
Ants, Ants, and More Ants
They're everywhere. In your yard, in your gutters, in your house...they seem omnipresent at this point, don't they? Ants are an unfortunate standard part of a Georgia summer, but that doesn't mean you have to just suffer through the season. Whether your ants are an indoor or outdoor issue, there are three simple steps you can take to try to rid your Atlanta-area home of unwanted ants.
Follow the trail: All ants travel in an orderly fashion and help guide each other from food source to anthill with a pheromone trail. Try to find the food source the ants have latched on to. Follow the ant trail until you find their colony, either outside or in the walls of your home.
Eliminate food sources: When you've discovered what's drawn the ants into your home, get rid of it! Ants have a real soft spot for sweet things but will definitely chow down on most food, so take the extra steps and time to properly store your food. If you have food out on the counter, make sure it's covered in some way. Regularly wipe down your counters, vacuum and mop your floors, and keep your trash covered and/or in bags. Don't give these ants an inch, because you know they will take a mile!
Destroy the entire colony: Resist the urge to kick that anthill when you find it. You're only scraping the surface (literally) of a massive underground operation, and as satisfying as it might feel to destroy their home, those scattering ants will just go find a new spot to set up shop. Use a spray or bait treatment to effectively kill all the ants in the colony.
To read more information about the different types of ants you may find around your Georgia home, check out our guide.
Mosquitoes
Kiddie pool season is upon us and we know how much effort it takes to set those things up. After the kiddos enjoy splashing around, we highly recommend dumping out the water and setting the pool out to dry. Mosquitoes love a good standing water source to multiply their numbers in, so don't give them the chance to get busy! If you have larger pools or water features on your property, make sure that you've treated them properly so that mosquitoes aren't tempted to take a dip.
If you want to have a thorough inspection and treatment of your entire property to make sure you can enjoy your summer bite-free, schedule mosquito treatments with Breda Pest Management. We recommend starting preventative mosquito treatments in the spring, but you can still find some relief by scheduling treatments now.
Want more info on keeping your yard mosquito-free this year? Click here for our guide!
We also offer mosquito extermination services if you need it.
If you find yourself needing pest control and want it handled thoroughly, don't hesitate to give us a call. The Breda Guarantee promises to fix your pest problem and keep it fixed—no matter the circumstances. Schedule a consultation online or give us a call at 770-466-6700.
