Summer in Southern California means longer days, warmer weather, fun in the sun … and unwanted visits from a few pesky insects. If you live in the Golden State, you’re probably familiar with black widows, wasps, and mosquitos among others.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at some of the most common Southern California insects likely to bug you this summer.
Common Southern California Insects
Fine wine, Hollywood, Surfing …
But California has a less than glamorous side. We are talking about bugs and critters. Today we are going to show you 8 California insects likely to bug you this summer. The good news is that you can plan how to deal with them once you are aware of them.
Here are the most common Southern Californian insects you’ll likely run into this summer and how to get rid of them.
Wasps
Wasps come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some can be docile, and some can be downright aggressive. Yellowjackets are particularly hostile. This is because they are an extremely social species and will sting without hesitation if they feel that their nest is being threatened (even when it isn’t).
This hostility wouldn’t be so bad, except they pack a fearsome sting, and they can do it repeatedly! It is also possible to have a severe allergic reaction to their sting, so we advise not touching them.
Provided you are nowhere near a nest, you can dispatch them with bug spray. However, even when they appear to be dead, do not touch them.
If you encounter a nest, do not try to remove it yourself. Removing a nest can result in serious personal injury, so it’s best to contact a professional pest control company that offers bee and wasp control services.
Termites
Termites are one of the worst things that can beset a house. They can severely weaken and undermine the structure of your property. They particularly like chewing through wood, whether that is the foundations of your home or even your furniture.
There are actually two types of termites, subterranean and wood dwelling. It can be hard to tell the difference, however the way in how to rid yourself of them.
A pest control company can apply a chemical that causes the worker termites to perish. As a result, the rest of the colony follows suit.
Ants
There are plenty of species of ants in California. While ants aren’t inherently dangerous, they can be somewhat of an annoyance. Some ants can also give a painful bite. There are isolated cases of ants causing allergic reactions too.
One area where ants are really unsightly is in the kitchen. They are drawn to crumbs of food, particularly sweet foods, and it is not uncommon to see a line of ants heading back and forth to share the goodies.
Ant’s nests can be extensive and spread for huge distances underground. This can make removing and destroying the entire nest on your own difficult.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are one of the most unsightly insects around. They are also quite difficult to get rid of, as they are really adaptable and can become resistant to commercial over-the-counter insecticides.
Cockroaches present a significant problem as they can carry and spread harmful bacteria such as salmonella and staphylococcus. The other gross thing about cockroaches (aside from how they look) is that their feces, spit, and eggs can trigger allergic reactions in humans, causing breathing difficulties. This can also trigger asthma in children.
A cockroach here or there could be handled with store-bought solutions such as traps or sealing potential entry points. However, if you find significant numbers of cockroaches frequently, you should consider professional help.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos have to be one of the most annoying insects. They can be small and difficult to see. The first sign that you’ve been attacked by a mosquito might be an itchy red bump that lasts for days. Then it’s already too late, ouch!
It can be much more serious with mosquitos. They are well known to carry extremely dangerous diseases. Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Chikungunya are some of the more well-known infections.
If you have a mosquito problem, take a look at our guide to learn how to get rid of mosquitos once and for all.
Bees
Certain bee species, such as the Africanized honey bee, can be even more aggressive than yellow jackets! They are a species that is found in California.
Killer Bees aside, even the humble honey bee can cause problems.
If they make a nest in the structure of your home, the honey and other byproducts of the nest, such as wax, can stain your wall. Furthermore, excessive honey production can encourage rodents and other parasites to enter your home in search of a sweet treat. This can even be the case (pun intended) if you eradicate the bees.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can be extremely irritating, literally. They enjoy nothing more than settling in for a midnight feast while you are snoozing and you are the main course. Many people don’t realize that they have bed bugs until they awaken with a track of red blotches caused by bites.
Bed Bugs aren’t a sign of a dirty home. These brown and reddish creatures can often arrive as uninvited guests in suitcases or clothing if you have stayed elsewhere overnight.
Aside from eating you, they can create an unpleasant musky odor secreted from their bodies.
Getting rid of bed bugs usually requires a liberal application of insecticide or other chemicals. This is best handled by someone who knows what they are doing to give the most effective treatment.
Silverfish
Silverfish aren’t dangerous. However, they are still a nuisance. The last thing you need is to open a bag of cereal or pasta and find that someone has been helping themselves in your absence.
Their name comes from their appearance. They literally look like tiny silver fish. You’ll often find them scurrying around in the dark until you surprise them by turning the light on.
Dealing with a silverfish problem is relatively easy. There are methods (of varying effectiveness you could try yourself). Most trained exterminators will treat skirting boards and floors with a special spray that kills them.
California is a great place to live, but the warm conditions also make it ideal for bugs, especially in the warmer months. If you’ve seen any familiar faces in our list of 8 California Insects to bug you this summer, maybe it’s time to deal with them once and for all? Facility offers an efficient and friendly pest control service in the California area. Why not contact us for advice and a free quote?