Bothersome bugs and insects come around the Nashville area in the spring and summer. Learn how Turf Managers can keep them at bay.
As the weather gets warmer for Tennesseans, the shorts and sandals come out. So do the bugs and insects that plague BBQs and picnics throughout the summer. Springtime means the trees and flowers start budding, but it’s also the time when insect eggs begin to hatch.
Some bugs are harmless and simply annoying. Some are dangerous and must be approached with caution and dealt with accordingly. Mosquitos are usually the most general annoyance of the spring and summer bugs. Generally, they are harmless.
You may be having trouble controlling the mosquito population. We can help you would like to keep those insects under control, especially around your home. Check out Turf Managers’ Skeeter Defeater mosquito control service. We can help keep your area more enjoyable during the beautiful summer. Click the link below to learn more.
This article will highlight some pesky bugs and insects that to put a damper on your warm outdoor activities.
Termites
Termites will usually swarm in the warmer springtime weather. They form a pack because they are looking for mates and will start mating sooner if spring comes early. Most people don’t even realize they have termites in their homes until they see a swarm or damaged wood.
If you see termites swarming or wood that looks like something chewed it up, call an exterminator immediately. Termites can cause massive internal damage to your home.
Ants
Ants, specifically fire ants, are pesky summer bugs. They turn up when flooding occurs in the late spring and early summer. Fire ants float to the surface of floodwaters in an air bubble. They then remain until they find a suitable surface to ascend. The ants form a bonded raft by interlocking their feet, keeping the queen on top.
If people disturb the nests of fire ants, they may sting and bite. Their bites are painful and as a result it can cause abscesses. Some people can even go into anaphylactic shock.
Asian needle ants are also present in the Tennessee area. They have been around since 2004 and will sting if trapped against the skin. Female Asian needle ants look like mosquitos. This increases their likelihood of biting if people try to swat them.
Be on the lookout for mounds and lines of ants around where you are sitting or playing. If you see them, the best practice is to move somewhere else.
Sweat Bees, Wasps, and Hornets
Most bees are pollinators and will leave humans alone. However, female sweat bees can become aggressive and sting if provoked. Some stings can cause allergic reactions. It’s important to take appropriate measures, such as going to the hospital if you’re stung.
Wasp and hornet bites and stings can also cause more severe problems if you have allergies. If you aren’t allergic, mostly they will just be painful. Wasps and hornets become aggressive when their nests become disturbed. These insects are usually out later in the summer.
Ticks
Several different tick species begin to show themselves in the springtime. American dog ticks and black-legged ticks are especially cause for concern. Ticks can spread various diseases, such as:
- Lyme disease
- Heartland fever
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever and its associated illness
The lone star tick can cause people to develop a deadly red meat allergy. The Asian longhorn tick can reproduce without mating. Asian longhorned ticks are not native to the western hemisphere. Even so, they were found in the United States in 2017.
Regular mowing and removing weeds, brush piles, and other debris around your house are necessary to keep ticks at bay. Ticks tend to cling to the underside of leaves and grass until they find a new host on whom to land.
To keep mosquitoes at bay when you’re outside, use Turf Managers’ patented Skeeter Defeater procedure. It is a revolutionary mosquito control system that we developed. This system ensures your backyard BBQs will remain mosquito-free throughout the summer. Click the link below to learn more about how Turf Managers can turn your yard into a mosquito-free summer paradise.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos are the number one nuisance in the spring and summer months. They can come in swarms or less intense numbers, but their annoyance level remains the same.
While mosquitos are relatively harmless, some can carry dangerous diseases. Culex mosquitos can carry the West Nile virus. While most infected people don’t become sick, about 1 in 5 develop a fever. Even less, about 1 in 150, develop a severe and sometimes fatal illness.
There have also been Tiger mosquitos reported in the East Tennessee area. These specific mosquitos are being researched by the University of Tennessee. They have black and white stripes and can be more aggressive and active than other types of mosquitos. The researchers are trying to see if they carry La Crosse encephalitis. This is a disease that can severely affect the nervous systems in children and teenagers.
Mosquitos love still water. They will breed in and around standing water. Be aware of water left in flower pots, kiddie pools, tires, and even upturned bottle caps. A cold winter will kill off most mosquito populations. They usually come back strong in the spring. If a milder winter has just passed, expect more mosquitoes.
How to Prevent Pesky Bugs
As winter turns to spring and the weather gets warmer, thoughts of spring cleaning enter. As you clean up your home from winter hibernation and get it ready for the summer, keep these tips in mind to prevent insects from taking over in the summer.
Kitchen
- Store food in tightly sealed containers
- Keep trash covered as best as possible
- Clean your kitchen regularly
Outside of House
- Seal cracks, gaps, and crevices
- Trim trees and shrubs, so they aren’t up against the house
- Repair screens and doors so there are no cracks, gaps, or holes
Yard
- Clear your gutters
- Don’t use mulch near the house
- If you have mulch near the house, make sure to turn it over periodically, so it dries
- Remove pools of water that are attractive to mosquitoes
Final Thoughts
It can be challenging (even impossible at times) to try to control or even eliminate all pests. Especially those that come about during the warm spring and summer months. There are steps you can take to reduce their presence. Most of these steps are preventative measures that require cleaning and general home maintenance.
Sometimes citronella candles and bug spray aren’t enough with bugs like mosquitos. Nowadays, there are more sophisticated methods of keeping pesky mosquitos at bay. At Turf Managers, we can deploy our newest and best mosquito control solution at your property.
It’s called Skeeter Defeater, and it’s a revolutionary eight-step mosquito control program for your lawn and yard. It is a barrier-style mosquito control solution. This solution provides greater effectiveness than typical mosquito repellent tactics.
To learn more about how Turf Managers can keep your yard mosquito-free for the spring and summer months. For more information about Skeeter Defeater, click the link below.
