Which Pests Can You Expect to See This Summer In Your Calgary Yard?

Hey Siri, play my summertime jam because it's officially summer! *Cues up Blinding Lights by The Weeknd*

And you know what that means—it's time for backyard barbecues, lazy afternoons in the sun, and... battling pests in your Calgary yard!

Yep, just when you thought you could kick back and relax, those pesky critters decided to crash the party. Don’t worry, we're going to dive into the wild world of Calgary yard pests. Grab your bug spray, and let's uncover which unwelcome guests might be joining you for your summer shindigs!

Mosquitos

The tiny vampires of summer, are always ready to turn your outdoor fun into an itchy blood donation drive. In Calgary, mosquitoes often include the common Culex species, which are known carriers of West Nile Virus. These mosquitoes are generally grey with white, silver, green, or iridescent blue scales.

Active primarily at dawn and dusk, they breed prolifically in standing water. To manage mosquito populations, eliminate sources of standing water in your yard, such as birdbaths, old tires, or clogged gutters. Consider using mosquito repellents and installing screens on windows and doors to keep them out.

Planting mosquito-repellent plants like citronella, lavender, and marigold can also help deter them. For areas with heavy mosquito activity, professional mosquito treatments provide effective, long-term control, ensuring your summer evenings remain comfortable and bite-free.

Wasps & Hornets

We like to refer to these guys as the summertime bullies because they can be pretty persistent. Wasps and hornets are common sights during the late summer months, and distinguishing between them can help in managing their presence.

Wasps tend to have a more slender body with a narrow waist, yellow and black markings, and are less hairy compared to bees. Hornets, on the other hand, are a type of large wasp with similar markings but can be more aggressive.

Both aren’t shy and can sting multiple times, making them a concern, especially around high-traffic areas such as gardens and patios. Their stings are pretty painful.

To prevent wasps and hornets from nesting near your home, keep food covered during outdoor events, manage garbage bins with tight-fitting lids, and remove any potential nest sites early in the season.

Consider using decoy nests, as wasps are territorial and usually won’t build a nest near another colony. You can also use humane traps and natural repellents to keep the infestation in check.

Ants

Two common ant species you might encounter in your Calgary yard are pavement ants and carpenter ants.

Pavement ants typically make their homes in cracks in driveways or sidewalks and are not particularly destructive, but they can be a nuisance when they enter homes in search of food.

Carpenter ants are larger and pose a more serious problem as they build nests inside wood structures, potentially causing structural damage over time.

To manage these ants, keep your outdoor dining areas clean of crumbs and spills, seal entry points around doors and windows, and address moisture issues around your property.

Rodents

During the summer months, rodents like mice and rats can become unwelcome visitors in your yard and even inside your home. These pests are not only a nuisance but also pose serious health risks as they can carry diseases such as hantavirus and salmonella.

Additionally, they’re known for causing damage to both outdoor and indoor structures by gnawing on materials, which can lead to costly repairs.

To prevent and remove rodents, ensure that your yard is clear of debris and standing water, which can serve as nesting and breeding sites. Seal any small openings around your home's foundation, windows, and doors to deny them entry.

For effective removal, consider setting humane traps by contacting a professional pest control service (like Buzz Boss) if the infestation becomes significant.

Spiders

Calgary is home to a variety of spiders, most of which are harmless and can actually benefit your yard by controlling insect populations. Common non-venomous spiders include the daddy longlegs and the common house spider. However, there are a few, such as the black widow, which can pose health risks.

Spiders typically inhabit areas like under eaves, in corners of windows, and in gardens, where they can find shelter and prey. To manage spider populations and reduce unwanted encounters, keep these areas clean and free of debris.

Regularly remove webs and consider using natural deterrents like essential oil sprays (peppermint oil is a good choice) to keep them at bay. If you encounter potentially harmful spiders, avoid handling it yourself. Consult with a pest control professional to handle the situation safely.

Ticks

Ticks are a common concern in Calgary, especially in grassy and wooded areas. These parasites are typically found in tall grass where they wait to attach to a passing host. Ticks are flat and oval in shape and can be brown, black, or reddish.

After feeding, they can swell to many times their original size. Ticks pose significant health risks as they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, which can cause serious long-term health issues if not treated promptly.

To reduce tick populations and protect personal safety, keep your lawn mowed, remove leaf litter, clear tall grasses, and brush around homes and at the edge of lawns.

Creating a barrier of wood chips or gravel can help restrict tick migration into recreational areas. Regularly check your clothing and pets after spending time outdoors to catch and remove ticks early.

House Flies

House flies are often dismissed as mere nuisances, but they’re capable of spreading diseases like food poisoning and dysentery. They’re attracted to yards primarily by food waste and other decaying organic matter. House flies breed in moist or decaying material, where they can lay up to 100 eggs that hatch within a day!

To control house fly populations, you have to maintain strict sanitation practices. Keep dining areas clean and free of food scraps, ensure garbage bins are tightly sealed, and dispose of waste regularly.

Using traps and flypaper can effectively reduce adult fly numbers. Ensuring windows and doors have tight-fitting screens will also help keep flies out of the home. Regularly inspect and clean potential breeding sites, like compost bins and pet waste areas, to interrupt the fly life cycle.

Aphids

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can be green, yellow, black, or red, depending on the species. They cluster on the undersides of leaves and around new plant growth, sucking sap and excreting a sticky substance known as honeydew. This can lead to a sooty mould that hampers photosynthesis, weakening plants.

Aphids commonly target roses, tomatoes, and various ornamental plants. To control aphids naturally, you can introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs or apply neem oil. For more severe infestations, environment-friendly insecticidal soaps or systemic pesticides can be effective.

Red Lily Beetle

The red lily beetle is a vibrant red pest known for its destructive impact on your lilies and fritillaries, leaving behind skeletal leaves. These beetles and their larvae consume the leaves, flowers, and buds, significantly weakening the plants.

To manage red lily beetles, inspect plants regularly and remove beetles by hand. Neem oil can deter them, while more persistent infestations may require the application of specific insecticides that target beetles without harming the plant.

Box Elder Bugs

Remember these unsightly creepy crawlies that threatened to take over your yard last year? Well, they’re going to be back this year too.

Box elder bugs, recognizable by their black and orange markings, generally target box elder and maple trees. While they don't cause significant harm to these trees, their large numbers can be a nuisance, especially when they invade homes seeking warmth.

To discourage box elder bugs, seal cracks and crevices in your home's exterior, and ensure window screens are intact. Outdoors, diatomaceous earth can act as a natural deterrent. In cases of severe infestation, chemical pesticides may be used around the perimeter of the home.

Stay Ahead of Summer Pests in Calgary with Buzz Boss

Understanding the variety of pests that could invade your Calgary yard this summer is the first step toward maintaining a healthy, pest-free environment.

Being proactive in your pest management efforts ensures that you're prepared well in advance to handle any pest-related challenges.

Ready to find a solution that fits your specific needs? Compare our packages to tailor your pest control plan. For comprehensive, year-round protection, BuzzShield® Complete is your best bet.

BuzzShield® Complete is designed to safeguard your outdoor spaces from a diverse range of pests from wasps to rodents and more. Learn more about our services and ensure your summer is enjoyable and pest-free by booking your service today.

Buzz Boss provides pest control services not only in Calgary but also in Red Deer, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and Okanagan.