What Summer Activities Attract Pests: A Guide from Colonial Pest Control

Summer means sunshine, barbecues, and outdoor fun, but did you know that many favorite summer activities can also attract unwanted pests? From feeding hummingbirds to hosting cookouts, everyday warm-weather habits can turn your yard or home into a pest paradise. Let’s explore some of these summer pastimes—and share tips from Colonial Pest Control to keep your home pest-free.

Feeding Hummingbirds: A Wasp Magnet

Hummingbird feeders bring vibrant visitors to your yard—but they’re also irresistible to wasps, yellowjackets, and other stinging insects. The sugary nectar that attracts hummingbirds can easily drip or overflow, becoming a feast for wasps, especially in late summer when their natural food sources decline. Ants, too, are drawn to the sweet liquid and may find their way into your home.

Prevention Tips:

• Use feeders with bee guards or wasp-proof designs.

• Clean up spills promptly and fill feeders with just enough nectar to last a few days.

• Hang a decoy wasp nest nearby—wasps are territorial and may steer clear.

• Plant native flowers to attract hummingbirds naturally.

Cookouts: A Buffet Dream for Rodents and Insects

There’s nothing like grilling burgers, toasting marshmallows, and dining al fresco. But to pests, your cookout is an all-you-can-eat buffet. The aroma of grilled food attracts ants, flies, raccoons, and rodents. Crumbs on picnic tables, grease drippings under the grill, and leftover scraps in trash cans are beacons for pests like mice and squirrels.

Prevention Tips:

• Clean up spills and crumbs immediately.

• Sweep patios and decks after meals.

• Thoroughly clean grills after each use.

• Rinse recyclables to remove sugary residue.

• Store trash in sealed, rodent-proof containers.

Keeping Chickens: A Rat Attraction

Backyard chickens are a great source of fresh eggs, but they also attract rats. Chicken feed, spilled grain, and unsecured coops are an open invitation for rodents that can carry diseases and stress your flock.

Prevention Tips:

• Store feed in metal, airtight containers.

• Clean up spilled feed daily.

• Secure coops with hardware cloth—rats can squeeze through chicken wire.

• Consider motion-activated lights or traps (consult a professional for safe placement).

Kids’ Treats: An Ant Invitation

Popsicles, ice cream, and other sweet treats are summer staples, but drips and crumbs draw ants. Sugar ants, pavement ants, and other species follow scent trails to your patio, porch, or even inside.

Prevention Tips:

• Clean up spills immediately with soap and water.

• Dispose of wrappers in sealed trash cans.

• Encourage kids to eat treats in a designated area that’s easy to clean.

• Store sweet treats properly and toss wrappers right away.

Pool Parties, Fruit Bowls, and Flying Insects

Poolside snacks, open soda cans, and fruit bowls are magnets for bees, wasps, and fruit flies. While some are simply nuisances, others can pose a risk—especially for those with allergies.

Prevention Tips:

• Cover food and drinks when not in use.

• Empty trash bins frequently.

• Don’t leave ripe fruit sitting out in the sun.

• Use citronella candles or wasp deterrent traps near gathering areas.

Other Pest-Attracting Summer Habits

• Gardening and Mulching: Piling mulch too close to your home’s foundation traps moisture and attracts termites, earwigs, and centipedes. Keep mulch several inches from walls and consider using gravel in problem areas.

• Picnics and Fruit Bowls: Uncovered fruit or leftovers attract fruit flies and wasps. Use mesh screens or lids, and refrigerate leftovers promptly.

• Standing Water: Kiddie pools, clogged gutters, and birdbaths can breed mosquitoes. Refresh water weekly and ensure proper drainage.

Don’t Let Pests Ruin Your Summer

Warm weather means pests are on the move—wasps build nests, rodents seek shelter, and ants expand colonies. It’s easy to overlook small habits that attract pests, but once they settle in, they’re harder to get rid of. That’s where Colonial Pest Control comes in.

Our trained technicians can identify pest hotspots, treat existing problems, and set up preventive measures so you can enjoy a pest-free summer.

Enjoy summer without pests—stay proactive and stay safe!