Freedom and fireworks – that’s a pretty good representation of how many of us recognize and celebrate July 4th every year but of course, there are other ways to acknowledge our country’s Independence. Whether you enjoyed a quiet weekend with the family “upta” camp or spent the holiday playing cornhole, eating good food, and imbibing in your favorite beverage with friends, we hope you had a great time and didn’t let the bugs get to you!

If there’s a downside to summer, it’s probably the bugs. Mosquitoes bite, ticks embed, ants invade, yellow jackets get aggressive… we could go on and on. Instead of dwelling on the pests and the problems they cause, let’s focus on something more positive and that’s preventing summer pests in Maine from taking over your home and property.

February is a hard month- the pounds gained over the holidays haven’t magically disappeared, we’re short on Vitamin D, and it is still winter! Now we know, there are plenty of winter fans in Maine and that includes us but we find ourselves anticipating the arrival of spring. There’s just one part of this season that isn’t all sunshine and flowers and that’s the springtime pests that will show up on your doorstep or even inside your home.

It’s official, it’s winter in Maine. Christmas has come and gone, we’ve seen measurable snow on the ground, and it’s been cold! So cold you might wonder how insects and rodents are surviving outside. While some insects have built in systems that allow them to “hibernate”, others take advantage of their close proximity to people and actually spend their winters safe and warm INSIDE homes.

While insect and rodent activity is a year-round problem here in Maine, pests become more noticeable and even more of an issue once summer arrives. Hot weather, precipitation, and an abundance of food make it possible for ants, wasps, and other pests to not only survive but thrive in Camden, Portland, and Boothbay Harbor as well as in cities and towns throughout Maine. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of pests to watch out for this summer.