Murder hornets made their way to the United States this year. Not sure what murder hornets are? They're large hornets that dine on honey bees. In fact, if they're left alone, they could destroy the entire honey bee population. Luckily, murder hornets are only found in Washington state right now. But, that doesn't mean you can rest easy. There are other hornets you need to worry about. Now that the temperatures are on the rise, it's time to get started on pest control measures. Hornets can put a damper on your outdoor plans. Here are three things you need to do to keep hornets away this summer.
Start With Pest Control
If hornets were a problem last year, you need to get a head start. Once hornets invade your property, they can be difficult to get rid of. That's because they tend to be territorial. Once they build their nest, they don't like to leave the area. That's where an ounce of prevention comes in handy. Now that summer is almost here, schedule your pest control service. An exterminator can come out and give your yard an initial pesticide treatment. That can help stop a hornet invasion before it starts.
Keep the Snacks Indoors
If you have children, you may send them outside with snacks during the summer. This is a good way to limit the mess in the kitchen. But, it's also a good way to attract hornets. Hornets navigate towards sweet snacks — the kind kids tend to take outside during the summer. Unfortunately, hornets don't sting once. If they're agitated, they'll continue to sting. Reduce the risk of hornet stings. Have your kids eat their snacks indoors this summer.
Inspect Eaves and Crawl Spaces
If you want to keep hornets away this summer, get rid of their nesting options. Hornets like to build nests where it's quiet. Some of those places include eaves and crawl spaces. If your eaves aren't protected by soffits, now's the time to install them. Soffits offer cover for your eaves, making it impossible for hornets to build nests. Also, seal off your crawl space. If hornets build nests in the crawl space, they can use the ducts to get inside your home.
Don't let hornets ruin your summer. The steps provided here will help ensure a hornet-free yard for your family. For more information about summer pests, contact a pest control service near you.
