Buzz Off! 
Don’t let Patio Pests Spoil Your Summer Fun

Like most people, you probably look forward to warm temperatures all winter long.  You may already be preparing for summer cook-outs, pool parties and other outdoor activities.  Unfortunately, summer pests come along with the summer heat, and they can quickly put a damper on the season’s festivities.  

“Outdoor patios attract pests, most notably flies, mosquitoes and Asian cockroaches,” said Orkin, Inc. Director of Quality Assurance Dr. Zia Siddiqi.  “Just like people, they are drawn in by the aromas coming from the grill and the promise of a good meal and a drink.”

Outdoor pests can cause a myriad of problems.  In addition to being a nuisance, patio pests can pose a health risk.  Flies can carry up to a half-billion microorganisms on the outside of their bodies, including dangerous bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella and Shigella; mosquitoes can transmit yellow and dengue fever, malaria and West Nile virus, among others; and cockroaches can carry bacteria that causes diarrhea, dysentery and cholera.  Other patio pests such as bees and wasps can inflict painful stings when disturbed.  A bee sting or allergic reaction is the last thing you want to worry about while soaking up the summer heat.  

Fortunately, by following these simple steps, you can guard your patio – and yourself – against unwanted pests.  

* Remove or hinder pests’ access to food and beverages.  Keep containers tightly wrapped and secured, and don’t leave food or discarded wrappers in the open.  
* When dining outdoors, be sure to cover soda cans as yellow jackets often enter soda cans unseen.
* Eliminate mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from objects like flower pots outside your apartment or condo.  
* Empty garbage cans often.

Controlling patio pests often requires the help of a licensed pest control professional with appropriate equipment and protective clothing.  A professional can help you identify the problematic pests on your patio and target the treatment accordingly.  For more tips, visit www.orkin.com or www.orkincommercial.com.