Cape Cod has something for everyone, and that includes pests.
Do you enjoy whale watching, mini golf, legendary seafood, festivals, historical buildings, mom-and-pop stores? We’ve got it. Prefer the more natural things in life? The Cape has some of the most beautiful dune beaches, rocky jetties, cranberry bogs, and conservation lands you could ask for. Do you like pests? ….Probably not, but the Cape has them in droves, too. The more you know about pests on Cape Cod, the better prepared you can be to handle them.
Mosquitoes. It’s no secret to anyone who’s spent time outdoors on Cape Cod in the summer that mosquitoes are an inevitability. Massachusetts has been a hotbed of mosquito-borne illnesses in recent years, and conditions on Cape are ideal for mosquito populations. Hot summers, warm waters, plenty of exposed bodies to feed on… Cape Cod is just as perfect for these buzzing bullies as it is for people.
Ticks. Yet another disease-carrying pest that loves the Cape as much as we do, ticks thrive between spring and late fall. We have humid weather, lots of wooded areas, tall grasses, and best of all, people and pets are out enjoying these great outdoors. Knowing how to avoid and properly inspect for ticks is the first line of defense against Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
Rodents. Mice have everything they need (and then some) in our environment, and in recent years, rats have gotten the memo. Our homes, yards, forests and bogs provide plenty of safe places to nest and a variety of food and water sources, allowing rodents to reproduce at alarming rates. An abundance of seasonal homes provides bonus living space if rodents can find their way in for the winter, where they can go undetected until people move back in.
Ants. If you’ve never dealt with ants on Cape Cod, please share your magical secrets with the rest of the class. The Cape is rife with these irritating insects, and it’s no small wonder, especially when people are leaving windows and doors open for fresh air or enjoying meals in outdoor spaces. Foraging ants will scout for any source of food and water. With warmer weather, we’re usually thinking more about enjoying it than we are about ants, thus unwittingly inviting them right in. That's not to say we're totally safe in winter, though-- ants can invade anytime.
Termites. Small but mighty, termites can cause a lot of damage to Cape Cod homes. They don’t sleep, they eat 24/7, and because they’ve been around for millions of years, it’s safe to assume they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Warm, damp springs and summers combined with ample sources of wood and other termite chow make the Cape an ideal environment for termites. Because most homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover termite damage, prevention is crucial.
Don’t let any of these pests ruin your enjoyment of your year-round Cape Cod home, your summer house, or your vacation visit. Call Burgess Pest for a free estimate and let us take care of the cons, while you enjoy all the pros of life on Cape Cod.
