Mosquitoes, ticks, ants, wasps, and fleas are the most common outdoor pests for Chicago homeowners. Each one thrives in urban yards where standing water, dense vegetation, and food waste are in steady supply, and where nearby buildings create shaded microclimates.
Living in a city doesn't exempt you from dealing with outdoor pests. In some ways, urban conditions make certain pest problems more persistent than they would be in a rural setting. Here's what Chicago homeowners are most likely to encounter.
Mosquitoes are the most widespread outdoor nuisance in the city. Chicago is flat, and the storm drain network is extensive in scope. There are also lots of little container environments that give mosquitoes plenty of places to breed. There are both huge mosquito reservoirs and millions of little breeding sites scattered in every half-empty can of sparkling water discarded by the road. Add to that the Aedes species of mosquitoes, known for its ability to breed in incredibly small water pools and to bite during the day.
Ticks are a problem here too. You can find them often in wooded parks and nature preserves. It’s not uncommon to find them in landscaped yards. If you have a yard that borders any green space, tick exposure is a realistic concern.
Wasps and hornets are also drawn to human activity. They’re known for building nests under eaves, in wall voids, and in sheltered areas around decks and porches. Yellow jackets may be the worst of the bunch, and are attracted to food and garbage, which makes outdoor dining dicey.
Then there are ants, ever persistent in the city. Around here, we have pavement ants, carpenter ants, and odorous house ants. All can enter homes through foundation cracks and are hard to control without addressing the entire colony.
Fleas are primarily a concern if you have pets, but they can establish themselves in shaded, humid areas of a yard. A single flea can produce hundreds of eggs, and an infestation can build quickly in warm months.
If you're dealing with outdoor pests on your Chicago property, Mosquito Squad of Chicago can help. Mosquito Squad provides barrier treatments that control mosquitoes and ticks across your outdoor living spaces, with technician visits every 21 days to maintain protection all season.
