Maryland in the summer is one of the best times of the year. With the sun shining, warm nights with the music of crickets, and annual events taking place, there are plenty of summer activities you can enjoy. These activities are mostly held outside – and for a good reason! Who wouldn’t want to soak up some sun and breathe some fresh air? But with this setting comes the risk of unwanted guests – bugs. Unfortunately, bugs are common attendees of Maryland’s summer activities such as hiking, camping, music festivals, picnics, state fairs, and sports games. They can be annoying and even dangerous if you don’t know how to protect yourself and prevent them from showing up. In this article, we’ll explore the most common bugs you’ll see at Maryland summer events and how to avoid them.
Maryland Summer Activities
Before we start talking about the pests that could potentially ruin your summer activities in Maryland, let’s review the entertaining and fun events you can enjoy.
State Fairs – Maryland is known for having some of the country’s best fairs and carnivals with rides, games, and of course, food.
Food Festivals – There is some pretty fantastic cuisine in these parts, especially seafood, which can be enjoyed at the state’s famous food festivals.
Music Festivals – Live music, numerous stages, dancing, and camping all in one event attract plenty of music-lovers to Maryland.
Camping – Maryland has some of the most beautiful campsites, offering a great escape into nature.
Hiking – Take a long stroll through Maryland’s gorgeous hiking trails, ranging from easy walking to full-on mountain climbing.
Sports Games – There’s nothing like attending a good old Orioles game and munching on a hot dog during the summer.
These are just a few of the many summer activities that Maryland has to offer. To really make the most out of them, you’ll want to prepare ahead of time to avoid unwanted pests flying and crawling around.
Mosquitoes
The most common and annoying bug you can see flying around Maryland’s summer events is mosquitoes. While sometimes hard to notice while out and about, you’ll definitely notice their bites when they start to swell and itch. Fortunately, you can prevent these mosquito bites from happening. The best method to keep mosquitoes away is spraying a bug repellent containing the active ingredient Deet. More natural sprays with lemongrass and lavender scent mixed with a bit of rubbing alcohol can also do the trick. If you’re camping or simply sitting outside, you can also light some citronella candles or tiki torches. The smoke and the scent will keep these bloodsuckers away. When hiking or in an area where mosquitoes frequent, try to cover your skin as much as possible. Focus especially on your feet and ankles.
Flies
While flies are harmless bugs, they are probably the most annoying bug you’ll encounter while enjoying a summer activity in Maryland. The worst thing about flies is how they can transfer germs from one surface to another. For this reason, it’s important to prevent them from flying around. If you’re having a picnic or set up a campsite, one way to prevent flies from coming around is to set up fans. The breeze makes it difficult for them to fly around your site. They’re also attracted to food and drinks. Cover any food you have out, especially sweet drinks. Get rid of trash and food scraps in a plastic bag and keep it away from your site if possible.
Wasps, Bees & Yellow Jackets
“Wait, don’t move!” That’s what most of us yell when we see a wasp or bee buzzing around us while at one of Maryland’s fun summer events. A sting can ruin anyone’s day. Luckily, you can avoid attracting wasps with a few simple methods. First, avoid wearing bright colors and patterns. Wasps and bees are attracted to these colors because they think they’re flowers with pollen. Don’t wear perfume that smells sweet either. Yellow jackets are most active during the day, and workers are busiest during the late summer and early autumn when they are trying to get enough food for the queens. The queens live through winter and the workers do not. When sitting to eat at a festival or fair, avoid being near trash cans. Wasps, bees and yellow jackets love the smell of carbohydrate-rich food, especially sweet sticky foods like fruit, soda or candy.
Ticks
These beady little bugs love to attach themselves to your skin and suck on your blood. They can be dangerous, too, as they spread serious diseases such as Lyme disease. You’ll likely find ticks in wooded or grassy areas, such as when you’re hiking, camping, or at a music festival. You can prevent ticks from latching onto you with bug repellent and by covering your skin with clothing. At the end of the day, make sure to check yourself for ticks, especially under your arms, groin, scalp, and behind your knees.
Ants
Don’t let ants ruin your Maryland summer picnic this year! Ants are tiny yet pesky little creatures that can really put a damper on your beautifully prepared picnic. Since they’re attracted to food, especially sweet and sticky food, it’s important to prepare your picnic properly. When laying out your meals on the table, be sure to keep them covered. This includes drinks too! Pick up your trash, and don’t leave food out in the open. Instead, put all of your trash in a plastic garbage bag and seal it up. Ants won’t be attracted to the smell; therefore, they’ll stay away from your site.
Pest Problems? Brody Brothers Pest Control Can Help
Maryland events aren’t the only place you may encounter bugs this summer. You may even experience small (or large) infestations right in your own home! From ants to wasps to mice, Brody Brothers Pest Control can help exterminate these unwanted guests and help you keep your home and family safe. Call us today to schedule a consultation and get rid of recurring pests, pesky bugs or occasional invaders on your property.