End of Summer Pest Awareness

As summer draws to a close, pest activity doesn’t slow down in fact, August is one of the busiest months for unwelcome visitors. Warmer weather, outdoor gatherings, and peak travel season all combine to make late summer prime time for pests such as wasps, bed bugs, flies, and ants.

Here’s what to watch out for as the season winds down:

🐝 Wasp Warnings This August

As we move into August, wasp activity is typically at its peak colonies are largest, and with fewer larvae to feed, worker wasps become increasingly desperate for sugar-rich foods and drinks.

Earlier in the summer, adult wasps rely on sweet secretions from larvae. But by August, the queen’s egg‑laying slows and larvae numbers drop, so the adults begin scavenging aggressively for human food sources: fizzy drinks, ripe fruit, even picnic remnants and sweet snacks.

☀️ BBQs, Ice Cream & Outdoor Eating: A Sweet Trap

During summer barbecues, garden parties, and ice‑cream breaks, keep in mind:

• Wasps are drawn to open drinks, fruit salad bowls, ice‑cream cones, and sticky desserts.
• Bins with soft drinks containers or fruit scraps provide irresistible fuel.
• Outdoor cushions or soft storage boxes with food residue or damp material can become nesting spots by late summer.

Tips to stay safe:

• Cover your food and drinks.
• Clear plates and bins promptly.
• If you spot a nest or suspect one call professional help rather than attempt removal yourself.

🧳 Bed Bugs on the Move: Summer Travel Risks

Bed bug activity also rises in late summer, as warmer weather accelerates reproduction and more people travel, increasing the chances of hitchhikers coming home in luggage and clothing.

These pests thrive in hotels, trains, and holiday rentals. Reports show infestations growing year-on-year in the UK, with particularly high calls during August and September precisely when travel peaks.

🚨 Holiday to Home: How to Stay Bed-Bug-Free

Inspect on arrival: Look for signs around the bed, paying attention to edges of the mattress and the headboard.

Keep luggage off beds and floors: Use luggage racks or place suitcases on hard surfaces as this is the easiest way for bed bugs to attach themselves to your belongings.

Vacuum and monitor: Back home, vacuum suitcases and clean bedroom cracks, seams, and nearby furniture. Steam-clean mattress areas or use a bed encasement for early detection and protection.

Act fast if signs appear: This common pest was once associated with unhygienic surroundings, but bed bugs can set up home in any property. Female bed bugs lay 200 – 500 eggs over two months in batches of 10 to 50. The eggs are sticky and attach to items of furniture or fittings in clusters.

🪰 Flies & Ants: The Late-Summer Surge

While wasps and bed bugs take the spotlight, flies and ants are also at their peak in August.

• Flies breed quickly in warm weather and are attracted to bins, compost, and leftover food. Aside from being a nuisance, they spread bacteria wherever they land.
• Ants, particularly black garden ants, continue to forage indoors for sugary foods and crumbs. Warmth also increases the chances of flying ant swarms in late summer.

Quick fixes:

• Keep bins sealed and cleaned regularly
• Store food in airtight containers
• Wipe down surfaces after meals to avoid attracting pests

Stay Pest-Safe This August!

Keep your August safe and sweet‑free! Wasps are on the hunt for sugar—don’t leave food uncovered or bins overflowing. And if you’ve been away, take bed bug precautions before crossing that threshold home.

If you identify a wasp nest or suspect bed bugs, reach out early for professional inspection and treatment. Prevention is always easier than dealing with full‑blown infestations.

Contact us Today!

📞 How To Contact Us?

👉 Call us on 01983 406999
👉 Email info@hillbanspestcontrol.co.uk