Summer can consist of beach days, hiking, and cabin weekends. Unfortunately, it can also be the perfect opportunity for unwanted pests to enter your home. Insects like ants and ticks can cause major problems for your home, to the point that you need to hire expensive pest control. To prevent annoying pests from disrupting your summer, consider using silicone sealant to fill in points of entry. Here’s how to utilize silicone sealant for summer pest prevention.

Common Summer Pests

Ants

Since they hibernate during the winter, you’re less likely to encounter ants until the summertime. Once the season changes, these insects thrive around leftover food and crumbs. Although they have to forage to survive, ants can quickly become a problem if they’re constantly getting into your food and water. Aside from sealing holes where ants could be getting in, always try to clean up after yourself in areas where they may be in search of food.

Ticks and Fleas

These blood-sucking parasites can be a safety hazard for residents in your household. This is especially true if you have pets that spend a lot of time outside. Both fleas and ticks latch onto your pets, but ticks are particularly dangerous since they can also affect humans and carry harmful diseases. During the summer months, regularly check everyone in the house for ticks and take action if your pets start biting or scratching themselves.

Mosquitoes

These buzzing blood-suckers are not only annoying, but they’re also the deadliest bug in the world. They lay eggs in standing water, a primary reason why they’re so prevalent in the summertime. People who live in hot and humid climates are especially susceptible to mosquito bites. Certain cases of mosquito-borne illnesses are rare in the U.S., with the exception of specific southern states and territories. Even so, the West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the United States.

Termites

Termites start their breeding season in the spring, wreaking havoc on homes once the season transitions into summer. Queens can lay up to 30,000 eggs a day and grow in numbers during the summertime. Unfortunately, once you notice signs of termites, you’ll be required to hire professional termite control. To prevent termites from entering your home, take some time to seal up holes and cracks in places where termites thrive (i.e. wood).

Flies

Flies are a summertime pest that can be a problem well into autumn. Like many insect species, flies will be looking for a place to cool down. Pair air conditioning with fresh food laying around your home, and it won’t be long until flies start making an appearance. Plus, flies mostly reproduce during the summer months, meaning an infestation will only get worse if it’s left untreated. It’s important to seal up entryways where flies could sneak into your home.

Stinging Insects

Although they’re important for the environment, in large numbers, stinging insects like hornets and wasps can be hazardous to your home. They have a breeding season in the spring when they establish a new nest, increasing their appearance during the summer months. Yellowjackets can even burrow into walls, becoming a problem inside your home. Stings are painful, but they can be especially dangerous for people with severe allergies.

Search for Entry Points

Summer pests like ants and other insects can get into your home through the tiniest holes and openings. Even a small crack could be a contributing factor to a pest infestation. Thankfully, applying caulk to these points of entry can keep pests out of your home at an affordable cost. Thus, it’s important to know where to look for entry points.

Closely inspect windows and doors from the inside and outside for any cracks where insects could get through. You should also observe other areas around your home where notice crown molding and baseboards. As a general rule of thumb, if a hole is large enough for light to get through, seal it up as soon as possible.

Apply Silicone Sealant

Silicone sealant is the best caulk for pest prevention since it’s moisture resistant and durable against changing weather conditions. If you don’t have one already, purchase a caulking gun along with your silicone sealant. Thoroughly clean the area of application by removing dirt, old paint, and previously added silicone sealant.

Locate the gap or crack and apply the silicone sealant at a 45-degree angle. Start in one corner and carefully apply a bead of silicone sealant with gentle pressure. Once you’ve filled in the hole(s), let the silicone sealant cure for at least 24 hours. Use your finger or a spoon to even out the caulk and clean up leftover silicone sealant.

If you live in an area prone to summertime insects, Silicone Depot has the tools you need to seal up points of entry around your home! To prevent the need for expensive pest control services, use our affordable food grade 100% RTV Silicone Sealant to fill in gaps and holes. Check out our selection of high-quality silicone products today!