The Bugs You'll See Around This Summer

If you're anything like us, the warm sunny season is hands-down your favorite! From backyard barbecues and endless beach days to bonfires and pool parties, there's nothing about summer we don't like — except for all the bugs that enjoy the warm weather, too. 

While many states have their fair share of bugs year-round, as temperatures begin to rise, insects of all shapes and sizes become more active, causing us to run into them much more frequently than we'd like. 

On top of that, it's likely that you're spending a lot more time outdoors, ultimately increasing the chances you'll come in contact with more creepy crawlies than usual.

Wondering which pests you might cross paths with? We've got your back! Read on as we explore all the summer-lovin' insects that are sure to bug you this summer. 

Why Do Icky Bugs Like The Summer So Much, Anyway? 

Summer is meant for soaking up rays, splashing in waves, and feeling the sand between your toes — not getting eaten alive by mosquitoes or getting stung by bees. What gives? 

Well, believe it or not, there are many reasons why bugs are big fans of the summertime—and no, it's not because they like to get their "tan on" or enjoy having picnics at the park. Insects love the warm sunny season because:

Reason #1: It’s Perfect Breeding Weather

Bugs are cold-blooded creatures which means that their development, life cycles, and growth are all regulated by the temperature of their environment. 

You see, while mammals are perfectly capable of maintaining a reasonably stable internal body temperature regardless of the temperature outside, bugs require external heat sources to grow and thrive. With that in mind, it's easy to see how temperatures that are higher than average can create a huge spike in creepy-crawly growth, reproduction, and development. 

Reason #2: It Makes Them Hungry 

Rising temperatures also cause the icky critters' metabolisms to speed up. As they burn more energy, they need to eat more (hence the rising number of crop losses in the summer months). 

They also tend to develop much faster and larger, die off less frequently, and reproduce in greater numbers.  

Reason #3: It Provides A Smorgasbord For Them

Last but certainly not least, increasing bug populations due to heat mean there is an added food source for predator insects. A double whammy for the pesky pests impacting your everyday life is high heat and a nearly unlimited food source. An increase in bug activity in small prey species like certain flies and ants means that predator species will not have to work as hard to track down their next meal and can survive to annoy people another day. 

Bugs That Love To Bask In The Summer Sun 

So, without further ado, here are the insects that are most commonly seen in the summer:

Bees, Wasps and Hornets 

There's a pretty good chance you’ll notice an uptick in bee, wasp, and hornet activity during the warm summer months. Ever wonder why? 

Well, as cold weather approaches, most adults begin to die off, leaving only the queen who seeks shelter in small, warm locations to hibernate through the winter. When warm weather finally returns, the queen starts a new nest as worker bees begin to hatch. From there on out, they will continue to build the nest throughout the summer before breeding in the fall so that the cycle continues. 

Ticks 

These nasty, blood-sucking parasites can pop up just about anywhere. Commonly found in areas with high grass, thick foliage, or even in grass clippings, ticks latch on to their victims to feed. 

Ticks can be a year-round concern but are much more abundant in the warm-weather months — aka the summer. Not only can their bites leave painful swelling, but many ticks also carry life-threatening diseases, like Lyme and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  

Ants 

After a long winter hibernating, you are more likely to catch an army of hungry ants marching through your home during the warm summer months. Ants have to constantly forage for food to feed a massive growing colony and save up reserves for when it starts to get cold again. 

If you notice these little guys in your home, they are on the hunt for water and food, which can be scarce during dry summer months. So with that in mind, the best prevention method is simply to keep things squeaky-clean and crumb-free. 

Fleas 

Every summer, your furry friends will alert you to another growing bug problem — fleas. 

By early summer, if your fur babies haven't been treated with flea prevention, they will probably start scratching and biting ferociously, usually after they come inside. Fleas are a pretty big problem throughout the year; however, they are a much larger issue in the summer as warmth and humidity speed up their life cycle. 

In addition, an abundance of wildlife out of hibernation also contributes to the growing flea population your pets are exposed to outdoors. These factors can greatly increase the risk of coming in contact with fleas within your home during summer. 

Fruit Flies 

Another pesky pest you're likely to encounter more often during the summer is fruit flies. Late summer into early fall is prime time for fruit fly activity, especially with it being harvest season — fresh fruits and veggies are key to completing the life cycle of a fruit fly. 

These relentlessly annoying pests lay eggs on organic matter, and immediately upon hatching, the larvae survive by feeding on it. 

Wondering why you see so many fruit flies at a time? Fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs in their lifetime, and the entire life cycle only takes about one week. This means that a few fruit flies can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation — yuck! 

Termites 

Spring is the season for massive termite swarms, but summer is when these icky bugs grow in number. The queen is busy laying up to an unbelievable 30,000 eggs a day — so if you happen to catch termites on your property, you can expect to only see more as the summer goes on. 

Grasshoppers 

Every farmer is well aware of the presence of grasshoppers during the summer. In big numbers, this hungry pest can rapidly devour an entire field in a matter of days. During dry, hot summers, we are more likely to see these creepy hopping insects doing quite a bit of damage down in the south. 

Even if you don't happen to have any crops, grasshoppers can be a serious annoyance in the summer. Why? Well, believe it or not, they are one of the few bugs that can chew through screens. 

Mosquitoes 

Last on the list, but certainly not least, we have the deadliest animal on the planet — the mosquito. 

As water and air temperatures fall, adult mosquitoes become less active and may lay one final last batch of eggs before winter while others go into hibernation. The first warm rain of spring awakens the sleeping bugs and signals the eggs that it's time to hatch. 

These tiny blood-sucking vampires rely on water to breed, so if there's any standing water around your property, there's a pretty good chance the pests have already used it to lay eggs. 

Other than feasting on our blood, leaving behind nothing but an itchy bump, these pests are something to be feared as they can carry many life-threatening diseases, such as Malaria, West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, and Zika.  

To combat mosquitoes, we recommended avoiding the harsh chemical cocktails commonly found in commercial insect repellents and sticking with something much more natural — like BuzzPatch!

Made using non-woven fabric patches infused with a revolutionary combination of kid-friendly essential oils, BuzzPatch is designed to confuse mosquitoes and hide your kids from their senses. Plus, unlike topical sprays that contain questionable ingredients like Picaridin or DEET, BuzzPatch is not only super easy to apply but good for the environment. 

Say Goodbye To Mosquitoes The Natural Way 

Of all the sun lovin' insects that enjoy the warmth of the summer, mosquitoes are definitely the worst. Not only do they rudely snack on our blood and leave us with super itchy bumps, but they carry life-threatening diseases that can easily be transmitted from bug to human with a single bite. 

Simply put, the little blood-sucking vampires are no good and pose a serious health risk —especially to our vulnerable children. 

Keep your kids safe this summer and say goodbye to mosquitoes the natural way with BuzzPatch. Created with you and your tiny tots in mind, our innovative mosquito repellent patches prevent mosquito bites instantly by hiding your little ones from their senses. 

All-natural, non-toxic, and DEET-free, BuzzPatch is not only safe, effective, and convenient, but it also smells amazing! 

What's not to love?  

Sources:

PBS: Photos: Inside the Moment | Queen Termite | Nature | PBS

Hot Summer Weather Brings Out Bugs | American Pest

Pests to eat more crops in warmer world | BBC

How to Get Rid of Grasshoppers in the Garden - Pests | The Spruce