South Carolina Summer Pests: The 8 Most Common

June is the beginning of summer and it's a colorful time full of family fun, but as temperatures rise, so does pest activity. If you want to enjoy all that June has to offer - from picnics and barbecues at outdoor events, to walks through the park on warm spring evenings - it's important to keep an eye out for pests that could interrupt your fun.

The summer months are often touted as the time when bugs come out to play. But what types of bugs you might encounter in your home or garden depends on a number of factors: seasonal trends, climate, and even location. In this post, we'll identify the 10 most common summer bugs and pests insects you might encounter over the summer months and if they're cause for concern. We'll also include helpful tips on how to prevent them from making your living environment their own.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are a year-round pest, but it's more likely you'll run into them if you're traveling or staying in hotels or Airbnbs. When these bugs bite, your skin will become extremely irritated and itchy.

Spiders

South Carolina is home to some impressively large spiders. The most alarming thing about them, however, isn't their size. It's the fact that they can poison you with a single bite. Fortunately, it's easy to spot certain spiders and avoid them. Black widows are particularly notorious as they tend to build webs close to human activity; so don't get too attached to any spider that finds its way indoors!

Ants

South Carolina, like any other state in the country, has a variety of different ants. Fire ants are known for their painful bites and can cause electrical damage when they chew through wiring. Crazy ants are known for their frantic behavior and can be very frustrating when they invade your home. Ants are among the most common pests in South Carolina, but they don't need to be!

Bees/Wasps/Hornets

Most types of bees are quite docile, even when swarming. However, don't mistake a hornet, wasp, or yellow jacket for a bee. While similar in appearance, these insects can be incredibly aggressive and their stings can result in serious allergic reactions, too.

Termites

Termites are known for causing billions of dollars in property damage each and every year. Termites feed on the wood structure of your home, and repairing this damage can be both expensive and time consuming. If you want to avoid this costly problem, it's important to protect yourself from termites with the proper products.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are one of the most bothersome insects around. Just one bite can lead to annoying itchiness and swelling, not to mention an increased risk of flu sickness. Mosquitoes can also carry dangerous diseases, making them one of the more important pests to minimize in and around your home with the help of the right mosquito control program

Ticks

A tick is a small parasite that feeds on the blood of animals and humans. They are very small - approximately the size of a poppy seed - and can be hard to see. In fact, if you pick up a tick (or three, or four) while out for a hike or doing yard work, you may not even realize that you have one. For this reason, it's important to make a habit of checking yourself for ticks after spending time outdoors. Ticks can spread Lyme disease, but removing them immediately can reduce your risk of contracting it.

Roaches

Cockroaches are a terrible pest, known to spread disease and cause allergies. They can also contaminate houses by leaving droppings and dead bodies behind. With a little help from Best and proper inspection, you can rid your home of these nasty little creatures for good.

As always, GOT PEST? CALL BEST!