Tips to Protect Your Patio and Pool Area from Biting Insects

Why Pest Pressure Builds Around Certain Parts of a Property

The warmer months in Washington Township invite residents to enjoy afternoons around the pool, relaxing evenings on the patio, and moments where being outdoors should bring a much needed respite. Unfortunately, these areas can also attract the presence of biting and stinging pests. Mosquitoes can commonly be found in outdoor areas where standing water, dense vegetation, and humidity provide ideal breeding and resting habitats. This can lead to increased pressure in shaded areas, such as porches, where leaf litter can accumulate in protected areas or wind-protected locations allow for easier tracking of a nearby host.

Wasps are drawn to areas where shelter, prey, and structural aspects provide ideal conditions for building nests and establishing colonies. As the summer season extends, the colony begins to reach peak numbers and can lead to more wasp activity around areas where food, drink, and water can easily be scavenged. This can lead to more encounters during backyard barbecues, near trash bins, and even around pool areas. Biting flies in Washington Township are known to nest and breed within areas where decaying vegetation and standing water provide ideal breeding grounds. Once they become adults, these pesky flies will seek nearby hosts to feed on and can lead to itchy welts and bites.

How to Reduce the Conditions That Keep Pests Coming Back

While pest activity is a common occurrence, there are steps that residents can take to reduce their presence around the property. For mosquitoes, it’s essential to reduce areas where breeding and resting areas can be easily found. Dump standing water from children’s pool toys, pool drain covers, covered patio furniture, and flower planters. These areas create small pools of stagnant water where female mosquitoes can lay their eggs. Trim vegetation and reduce leaf litter near the pool and patio areas to reduce adult resting habitats. For immediate help, consider using fans in strategic places to reduce the presence of weak flying mosquitoes, and utilize EPA-registered mosquito repellents as directed on the label.

For wasps, early intervention is most beneficial. During spring months in Washington Township, conduct property inspections to note areas where the initial wasp nests can be found. As the summer progresses, keep an eye out for common paths or areas where wasp activity appears to be concentrated, as this can be a sign of a nearby nest. If a nest is found, keep children and play areas away from the nest and create a perimeter to reduce disturbance. For feeding sources, use covered and sealed containers when preparing food outdoors, covered lids for sugary beverages, and reduce areas where standing water can become a drinking source for wasp activity. For biting flies, reduce pet waste and organic matter that has begun to decay. These areas create ideal breeding grounds and ideal areas for larvae to feed as they grow. This can include ensuring that trash and compost bins are sealed and sanitized when larvae have been noticed.

When to Call for Professional Pest Control in Washington Township

If you’re noticing heightened pest activity around your property despite taking preventative measures, it could be beneficial to seek professional pest control support. Our team at Mosquito Squad of South Jersey is proud to offer comprehensive pest control treatments to residents of Washington Township. Our team will begin with a property inspection to note areas of risk and pest activity and create a tailored plan to suit your home and needs.

For robust yard defense, we offer our Yard Defender package. This comprehensive plan is designed to reduce and control the presence of mosquitoes, flies, wasps, and other common pests for up to 21 days at a time. With this plan, our technicians will apply liquid and granular treatments to targeted areas where pests commonly nest and breed. This allows us to repel pest activity and disrupt the cycle of breeding on a recurring basis.

For Reliable Pest Control in Washington Township, NJ Near You

Need help with pest control around your Washington Township property? Call Mosquito Squad of South Jersey at (856) 617-5152 or request a free quote online.