Common Pests During the Late Summer

A deer tick

Some of us look forward to the end of summer to finally catch a break from pests, but August and September won’t afford us this opportunity quite yet. In fact, there are several kinds of bugs and wildlife that thrive in the conditions of the late summer. If you want to ensure that the last of the warm season isn’t ruined by pest problems, you have to weave prevention strategies into your routines. To learn about common late-summer pests in Bristol and Johnson City TN and what you can do to stop them, read on for advice from Leo’s Pest Control!

Pest That Thrive in Late Summer

Late spring and early summer are commonly regarded as the height of pest season, but this doesn’t mean that the late summer and other seasons are free of pest issues. Here in Bristol and Johnson City, we commonly face the following pests in the late summer:

  • Wildlife: If an animal hibernates during the winter, you can be sure that they will be active all summer. Our late summers usually come with raccoon, opossum, and squirrel problems.
  • Bees and wasps: As long as people are gathering outside, bees and wasps are going to hang around. If you cook outside often or have a habit of leaving out sugary or protein-rich foods, you can expect bees and wasps to build nests close to these newfound food sources.
  • Ticks: Ticks breed in the early summer to produce booming populations that hang around until temperatures drop significantly again. Watch out for ticks around tall grass or dense vegetation.
  • Mosquitoes: If you don’t disturb their breeding grounds, mosquitoes can develop a consistent output of offspring that stick around into fall.

Preventing These Late Summer Pests

We want to preface this prevention information by reminding you that any serious pest infestation should be dealt with immediately by an experienced technician. However, if you want a head start on keeping these late summer pests off of your property, we have some advice for you:

  1. Look for standing water: Because mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, getting rid of all potential breeding grounds will keep them off of your property. Pour out rainwater wherever you find it — be sure to look in gutters, planter boxes, and similar places.
  2. Keep your yard tidy: Trimming plants, removing leaf piles and grass clippings, and decluttering in general will all help prevent temporary pest shelters.
  3. Seal entry points: Look around the outside of your house and any structures in your yard for gaps in roofing, siding, fencing, foundation, or elsewhere. Seal holes with a silicone-based caulk or install screens to cover window gaps.
  4. Protect your trash: Taking out your trash regularly will prevent indoor pest problems, and using lids that seal on your outdoor bins will prevent wild animals and bees.

Professional Pest Control for Late Summer

If you have already tried a bunch of prevention methods and have had no luck keeping pests off of your property in Bristol and Johnson City TN this summer, it’s time to team up with your local pest experts. Our team at Leo’s Pest Control knows all about the pest problems that residents and business owners face year after year in our region. We can quickly assess your property for crucial vulnerabilities and put together a uniquely-crafted plan that tackles them safely and efficiently. Reach out today for a free quote!

Do Bees Hibernate During the Winter?

Bee hive in Bristol TN

We all know bees are in abundance during the spring and summer months. They even remain active—and potentially aggressive—during the fall as their resources begin to dwindle. But what happens to them in the wintertime? Here in Bristol TN, we experience our fair share of winter weather. Needless to say, it’s hard to imagine bees and other insects surviving through these colder months. Although not all bees hibernate, there are some species that can remain dormant and wait out the winter season. The experts at Leo’s Pest Control are here to share everything you need to know about wintertime bee activity.

Hibernating Bees

After their activity peaks, some bee species disappear in late summer or early fall. Bees are less likely to be active when the temperature drops below 50°F. Each of our region’s three most common bee species responds differently to cold temperatures:

  1. Honey bees: For honey bees to survive the winter, they must have a robust population with a secure hive and a large store of honey. Male honey bees die off, leaving the female bees to crowd tightly together in their hive with the queen in the middle. The female worker bees will vibrate and shiver around the queen bee, keeping alive until warmer days return.
  2. Bumblebees: All bumblebees in a colony except the queen will die if temperatures become too cold. The queen bees will hibernate, or overwinter, by digging small holes in the dirt.
  3. Carpenter bees: These wood-destroying bees can remain dormant through the winter in their nests. During the winter months, young carpenter bees that hatched in the summer will hibernate in their nests. During the summer, older bees will die after larvae are laid.

How to Prevent Bees Year-Round

You don’t have to worry about an infestation during the winter, but it’s a great time to start preparing for the coming months. To protect your yard from bees in the spring, take these steps:

  • Seal cracks and crevices around the exterior of your house to prevent pests from entering.
  • Garden far from your house or grow grasses and non-flowering shrubs.
  • Regularly mow your lawn and prevent overgrowth.
  • Fit your windows and doors with tight-fitting screens.
  • Fill in holes left by animals to eliminate nesting spots for bees and other wasps.
  • Make sure outdoor trash and recycling cans have tight-fitting lids.

Looking For Safe Bee Control in Bristol TN?

If you have bee problems at any time of year, you should contact your local bee control expert. We will identify potential nesting sites around your property or areas where stinging insects might overwinter. As spring and summer approach, we can also prepare you for pests. Contact us today to get started!

Can I Get Stung by a Carpenter Bee?

Carpenter bees rarely sting people in Bristol TN - Leo's Pest Control

Stinging insects of any kind can be cause for concern. Many people confuse bees for wasps and vice versa, making it important to know which are more of a risk to be around. In general, carpenter bees are unlikely to sting anyone. These bees are busy nesting in wood, which is a whole other danger to be aware of with their presence.

While carpenter bee stings are rare, the experts at Leo’s Pest Control know how concerning insect stings of any kind can be for you and your family. Our bee control experts are here to share what you need to know about the dangers of carpenter bees in Bristol TN.

When Do Carpenter Bees Sting People?

Similar to most bees, carpenter bees will only sting when provoked or threatened. Here’s what to know about carpenter bee activity and what may motivate them to sting someone:

  1. Male carpenter bees don’t possess a stinger, making the chances of a sting even lower. Female carpenter bees possess a stinger.
  2. Typically, the females are hard at work excavating chambers for their brood. Male carpenter bees are territorial and tend to appear aggressive and dangerous, but this is just for show. The males spend a lot of time hovering near their nest to protect it. Their sole purpose is to mate and chase off predators, allowing females to safely rear offspring.
  3. The only time female carpenter bees will sting is when majorly threatened, handled, stepped on, swatted at, etc. For the most part, these bees are too busy to worry about stinging nearby people.

Do Carpenter Bees Damage Wood?

A common fear with carpenter bees is their wood-boring abilities. Carpenter bees tunnel through wood to lay their eggs. However, carpenter bee damage is minuscule compared to that done by carpenter ants or termites. Only when there are dozens of carpenter bees working away for a long period of time would you begin to see the damage of their activity. This is often seen in window sills, porches, roofs, etc.

The beneficial qualities of carpenter bees far outweigh any dangers they pose. As pollinators, these bees sustain themselves on nectar and pollinate plants as they go.

How to Control Carpenter Bees

Whether you’ve noticed an uptick in carpenter bee activity or are suspicious of wood damage from their activity, contact your local bee control experts at Leo’s Pest Control. Our team will help determine any carpenter bee problems you may be having and work to keep you safe from their activity year-round. Get in touch with us today to learn more!