Here’s How to Get Rid of Summer Pests In & Around Your Home

Summer brings sunny days and warm weather, but the heat and humidity also unleash an army of summer pests. Mosquitos, gnats, wasps, and other flying insects have ruined many backyard BBQs, while ants and fruit flies can roam freely in your home. Mice, racoons, and even predator animals can also be a problem. Here’s a rundown of the best summer pest deterrents, and the best eviction methods.

How to Keep Insects Out

The best solution to summer pests is to prevent them from entering your home as much as possible. Here’s some tips to help you bug-proof your home: 

• Close doors securely when entering or leaving the house 

• Seal windows and doors with weather stripping 

• Seal gaps between your trim and siding with caulking 

• Check window screens for holes and tears 

• Install door sweeps on exterior doors 

• Check groceries for insects before bringing them inside

How a Clean Home Deters Insects

Many insects are attracted to food odours and residue, especially when there’s high sugar content. Make the following bug-deterrent tasks part of your home maintenance routine: 

• Keep your kitchen floors and counters free of crumbs 

• Store food in sealed containers 

• Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink 

• Regularly remove your kitchen garbage  

• Remove any standing water outside your home 

• Clean up outdoor food and drink spills right away 

• Don't leave pet food or water out overnight 

• Vacuum floors and carpets regularly

Ridding Your Home of Bugs & Insects

Even your best efforts won’t keep all bugs out of your home. Different insects require different tools and methods for removal. Here’s some of the best.

How to Get Rid of Ants

• Use indoor ant spray or ant foam to kill ants in the house 

• Wipe down your countertops, window sills and other surfaces with white vinegar 

• Sprinkle cinnamon, mint or pepper in places you see ant activity 

• Sprinkle Borax or diatomaceous earth into hard to reach spots 

• Use outdoor ant sprays on your lawn, trees and shrubs 

• Introduce ant insecticide nematodes to your lawn and gardens 

• Place ant traps and ant bait wherever you notice ant activity 

• Sprinkle ant granules or a mixture of baking soda and confectionary sugar on ant hills and ant trails 

• Learn more about how to get rid of ants here

How to Get Rid of Mosquitos

• Use an aromatherapy diffuser with essential oils that deter mosquitos like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender 

• Use indoor-safe bug repellents in your home (fogger, aerosol and pump spray formulations are available) 

• Install mosquito repellers around the perimeter of your yard and entertaining areas 

• Place mosquito coils, mosquito lanterns and citronella candles on your deck and patio 

• Install citronella torches along walkways 

• Grow mosquito-repellent plants like lavender, marigolds, catnip and rosemary 

• Spray mosquito garlic oil on bushes and hedges 

• Add eco-friendly larvicides to standing water

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

• Store fresh fruit and vegetables in the fridge, not out in the open 

• Place fruit fly traps around your kitchen and dining areas 

• Make a DIY trap: fill a shallow bowl with beer or apple cider vinegar, then cover it with plastic wrap and punch holes in the top 

• Hang sticky strips from shelves and cabinets 

• Use fruit fly sprays on your counters and kitchen garbage 

• Keep your kitchen sink drain clear with a good drain cleaner 

• Learn more about how to get rid of fruit flies here

How to Get Rid of Wasps, Yellowjackets & Hornets

• Use wasp and hornet spray outside to kill on contact 

• Place hornet and wasp traps around your yard (works best early in the season) 

• Hang simulated paper wasp nests around your home and yard to deter real wasps from nesting 

• If a wasp nest is attached to your eaves or siding, use a pressure washer to knock it out (then run!) 

• Never block the hole of a nest attached to your home as the wasps may find a way inside

Other Flying Insects

Gnats, black flies, horse flies, deer flies and house flies can also be nuisance in and around your home during summer. Here’s some tried and true ways of keeping them at bay: 

• Install bug zappers and bug lamps around the perimeter of your deck and patio 

• Use traditional fly swatters and electric fly swatters 

• Use all-purpose bug sprays outdoors 

• Place indoor flying insect traps around your home 

• Install fly paper around windows and doors

How to Deter Rodents & Non-Insect Pests

Pest-proofing your home is your first and best line of defence against small rodents and medium-sized animals. Here’s some tips to keep them out: 

• Seal any exterior holes or cracks that could be potential points of entry 

• Use outdoor garbage cans with locking lids 

• Replace any broken shingles, vents, and flashing on your roof 

• Remove brush piles and debris that could serve as potential rodent dens 

• Use an electronic pest repeller that emits a sonic or ultrasonic frequency to deter pests like rats, mice, raccoons, skunks, possums, and bats

How to Get Rid of Mice & Small Rodents

Though more likely to seek warmth and shelter in cold weather, small rodents can still pose a pest control problem in summer. They carry pathogens and can also pose a fire hazard by chewing through wiring. Various rodenticides, mouse traps, and rat traps are available to help rid your home of these pests, including live-catch traps that do not harm the animals. You can also try scents like citronella, peppermint and eucalyptus as deterrents, or fabric softener sheets stuffed into potential entry points.

How to Get Rid of Raccoons, Possums & Skunks

Remove any branches that could allow raccoons or possums to enter your attic. Ammonia, vinegar, garlic, and cayenne pepper can also be effective raccoon deterrents. For possums, mix some camphor oil and petroleum jelly into a paste and spread it anywhere possums are a nuisance. Mothballs are an effective deterrent to skunks, as are orange peels, lemon peels, or citrus-scented household cleaners. You might also consider larger live animal traps that are specifically designed not to hurt the animal. However, do not use these for a skunk as it can easily spray you through the trap.

How to Deter Deer

Deer can feast on young spring plants and summer fruits and vegetables. They may also carry ticks that spread Lyme disease. Here’s some tips to keep them away: 

• Harvest your fruit and vegetables continually as they ripen 

• Place deer-nip plants like lettuce, strawberries, pansies and fruit trees close to your home 

• Use deer-repellent plants like lavender, garlic and chives 

• Apply deer-repellent to your trees and shrubs 

• Install motion-activated lawn sprinklers and lighting to drive deer away 

• Install a deer fence around your gardens or yard

How to Deter Bears, Coyotes, Wolves & other Predators

Bears, coyotes and wolves are more of a problem in food-scarce winters, but they can still enter your property in summer. Here’s some tips to help keep them away: 

• Store garbage inside your home in animal-resistant trash containers, and deodorize them with bleach after use 

• Use heavy-duty garbage bags to reduce odours, and put garbage out shortly before pick up time 

• Do not leave grill food unattended, clean your grill thoroughly after cooking, and store it away in a garage or shed when not in use 

• Do not leave pet food outside 

• Add agricultural lime to your compost to reduce odours 

• Harvest fruits and berries as soon as they’re ripe 

• Keep windows and doors closed and locked at all times 

• Install electric fencing around your yard or gardens (it will shock but not harm the animals) 

• Install bars or grilles on windows 

• Keep bear repellent and bear bells handy 

• Install motion-activated lawn sprinklers and lighting to drive predators away 

• Apply pine-scented cleaner around doors, window frames, and porch steps

Insects, rodents and other summer pests are more than just a nuisance, they can also put your home and family at risk. Take all the steps you can to keep them out of your home and yard. If pests do get past your defences, now know the best ways to get rid of them too.