20 Summer Insects: How to Control Them Like a Pro

Summer insects are a frustrating part of warmer weather, especially when you're trying to enjoy your backyard, relax indoors, or protect your pets. This guide will walk you through the 20 most common summer insects, how to identify them, what attracts them, and—most importantly—how to control them using expert-backed strategies.

Why Are Insects Worse During Summer?

Insects don’t just love summer—they thrive in it. With rising temperatures, increased humidity, and abundant plant growth, summer provides the perfect storm of conditions for insect breeding and survival.

Summer insects are cold-blooded, which means their metabolic rate increases with heat. Warm weather allows faster reproduction, more frequent feeding, and higher mobility. Insects like mosquitoes, ants, and flies also benefit from longer daylight hours, which offer extended opportunities to forage, mate, and spread. Moist environments and decaying organic matter, common in summer gardens and trash bins, become breeding grounds for all kinds of pests.

Crawling Summer Insects and How to Beat Them

Crawling insects are some of the most persistent and unwelcome visitors during summer months. From disease-carrying ticks and fleas to structure-damaging termites and food-invading ants, these pests can cause both health hazards and property issues. Understanding their behavior and applying effective control methods can help you keep them out of your home and garden all season long.

1. Ants

Ants are social insects that live in large, organized colonies with a queen, workers, and sometimes even soldiers. They range from tiny black pavement ants to larger carpenter ants with strong mandibles. Most ants invade homes looking for food, especially sweets and proteins.

They often follow scent trails laid by other worker ants. Indoors, they can enter through cracks, plumbing, or open windows. While most are harmless, some species like carpenter ants can damage wooden structures by hollowing out beams to make nests.

Control tips:

Seal cracks around windows, doors, and baseboards

Clean up spills immediately and store food in airtight containers

Place ant baits near activity areas and along trails

2. Ticks

Ticks are parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and even reptiles. They’re typically flat and oval before feeding, but swell dramatically after ingesting blood. Most active in grassy, wooded areas, ticks are dangerous because they can transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and more.

They often cling to clothing or pet fur and crawl to warm, hidden places like behind the ears or underarms. Because they don't jump or fly, they wait patiently on vegetation to latch onto passing hosts.

Prevention tips:

Use EPA-approved tick repellents on skin and clothing

Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks when hiking

Shower and check for ticks after outdoor activities

3. Fleas

Fleas are wingless, blood-feeding insects with powerful legs for jumping. These tiny brown pests are most commonly introduced to homes by pets. Fleas bite humans and animals alike, often targeting ankles or the belly and causing intense itching, allergic reactions, or even disease transmission (like tapeworms).

Their flat bodies allow them to move easily through fur and hair, making them hard to spot. They reproduce rapidly—females can lay up to 50 eggs per day—so infestations can get out of control quickly if not addressed.

Control strategies:

Use vet-prescribed flea prevention and shampoo on pets

Wash bedding, rugs, and pet areas weekly in hot water

Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture daily during outbreaks

4. Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that hide in mattresses, bed frames, couches, and even electrical outlets. Though they don’t transmit diseases, their bites can cause itchy welts, insomnia, and psychological stress.

They are nocturnal and feed on human blood during sleep, often leaving rows or clusters of bites. Unlike fleas, they cannot jump or fly, but they’re excellent at hiding and traveling via luggage, furniture, or clothing.

What to do:

Inspect mattresses, seams, and headboards for dark spots or shed skins

Use bed bug-proof mattress covers

Use heat treatments, steam, or professional insecticides for severe infestations

5. Termites

Termites are pale, soft-bodied insects that live in huge colonies underground or inside wooden structures. Unlike ants, they don’t have a visible waist and rarely leave their nest unless swarming to form a new colony.

Their diet consists mainly of cellulose from wood and paper, making them a massive threat to homes and buildings. Over time, they can silently eat away at walls, beams, and foundations—causing thousands of dollars in damage before they’re detected.

Prevent infestation:

Ensure gutters and downspouts drain water away from foundations

Avoid storing firewood or mulch directly against the house

Install bait stations or barrier treatments through professional services

6. Spiders

Spiders are eight-legged arachnids that play a valuable role in natural insect control, feeding on flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs. However, some species like the black widow or brown recluse can pose a health risk due to their venom.

They’re often found in dark, undisturbed areas like basements, closets, and under furniture. Webs are commonly built in corners or behind objects. While most spiders are non-aggressive and help reduce pest populations, their presence indoors can cause fear or discomfort.

Keep them away:

Declutter storage spaces

Seal gaps in windows and doors

Use citrus or vinegar-based natural repellents

7. Cockroaches

Cockroaches are notorious survivors. They thrive in warm, dark, and moist environments—kitchens, drains, behind appliances, and even inside walls. Their flattened bodies help them squeeze through narrow gaps, and they can live for weeks without food.

Roaches contaminate food, spread bacteria like salmonella, and trigger asthma or allergies in sensitive individuals. They are most active at night, so seeing one during the day often signals a major infestation.

Combat them with:

Sticky traps or gel bait stations

Eliminate crumbs, grease, and moisture sources

Caulk crevices and eliminate entry points

8. Centipedes & Millipedes

Centipedes have elongated, flattened bodies with one pair of legs per segment, while millipedes are more rounded and have two pairs per segment. Centipedes are carnivorous and actively hunt other pests, while millipedes feed on decaying organic matter.

Both prefer damp, dark environments like basements, mulch beds, and crawl spaces. Though centipedes can bite (rarely harmful), they’re mostly just creepy to encounter.

Control advice:

Fix leaks and improve ventilation

Clear leaves and mulch from foundations

Use perimeter pesticides or diatomaceous earth

Flying Insects You’ll Meet This Summer

Flying insects are some of the most annoying pests in summer. They fly around your home, bite, sting, and spread germs. This section will help you recognize common flying bugs like mosquitoes, wasps, and flies, and show you how to keep them away.

9. Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are small, long-legged insects with a signature whine. Females feed on blood to develop eggs, while males feed on nectar. Mosquitoes are a major public health concern due to their ability to transmit West Nile virus, Zika, dengue, and malaria.

They lay eggs in stagnant water sources—anything from birdbaths to bottle caps. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk and are drawn to body heat, carbon dioxide, and sweat.

Control checklist:

Dump or treat standing water weekly

Use UV light mosquito traps indoors or outdoors

Apply EPA-approved repellents to skin and clothing

10. Wasps

Wasps have narrow waists and shiny, hairless bodies, differentiating them from bees. They’re more aggressive, especially when defending a nest, and can sting repeatedly.

Common species include yellow jackets, paper wasps, and mud daubers. Nests are built under eaves, in trees, or underground. Wasps are attracted to protein-rich foods and sugary drinks, especially during late summer.

Protect your space:

Don’t leave meat, soda, or fruit exposed outdoors

Seal trash bins and compost containers

Install wasp traps or call professionals to remove nests

11. Hornets

Hornets are larger, more robust relatives of wasps with black-and-white or yellow markings. They build large paper-like nests in trees, sheds, or attics. Some hornet species can be highly territorial and respond aggressively when their nest is disturbed.

Their venomous sting is more painful than a wasp’s and can be dangerous to allergic individuals.

Safety first:

Stay at a distance if you spot a nest

Call professionals for removal

Avoid using flashlights near hornets at night—they are drawn to light

12. Flies

Flies are among the most persistent flying insects in summer. Species like house flies, fruit flies, and blow flies feed on garbage, rotting food, and excrement—spreading more than 65 known diseases.

They reproduce rapidly, with some laying hundreds of eggs in just a few days. Indoors, they’re attracted to exposed food, dirty drains, or moisture. Outdoors, trash bins and pet waste are common sources.

Best fly control methods:

Keep garbage bins sealed

Use sticky fly traps or UV fly zappers

Clean kitchen drains and dispose of waste quickly

13. Yellow Jackets

Yellow jackets are a type of aggressive wasp with bold black-and-yellow striping. They are especially common at outdoor gatherings where food and sweet drinks are present. Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times and tend to be more aggressive in late summer as their colonies peak.

They often nest underground, in wall voids, or inside hollow trees. Disturbing a yellow jacket nest can result in a swarm attack, making them one of the more dangerous summer insects to encounter.

Tips for defense:

Keep food covered during picnics or barbecues

Seal entry points around sheds or under porches

Set yellow jacket traps away from high-traffic areas

14. Fireflies

Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are soft-bodied beetles famous for their glowing abdomens. This bioluminescence is used for communication, mating, and deterring predators. Found in fields, marshes, and gardens, fireflies are most active at dusk.

While they don’t bite, sting, or cause damage, large gatherings may occasionally be attracted to homes with strong outdoor lighting.

No control needed, but reducing light pollution will help avoid drawing them in.

15. Bees

Bees are fuzzy, yellow-and-black pollinators that play a critical ecological role in the reproduction of flowering plants. Honeybees and bumblebees are the most common types in the U.S. Unlike wasps, they are generally non-aggressive and only sting when provoked.

They nest in tree hollows, eaves, or occasionally wall cavities. If a bee colony establishes itself too close to human activity, removal may be necessary—but should always be done humanely.

Handle respectfully:

Don’t swat at bees; remain calm if one approaches

Call a local beekeeper to relocate hives

Plant wildflowers away from seating areas to attract them elsewhere

16. Sawflies

Though named like flies, sawflies are a type of non-stinging wasp. Their larvae resemble caterpillars and can be mistaken for them. They feed in groups on ornamental and fruit-bearing plants, often skeletonizing the leaves.

Infestations can defoliate trees quickly if not treated. Adults are less commonly seen but may rest on plant leaves.

Control with care:

Hand-pick larvae early in the season

Use insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays

Encourage birds or beneficial insects in your yard

17. Aphids

Aphids are soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects that come in green, black, or white varieties. They feed by piercing plant tissues and sucking sap, leading to yellowed, curled, or distorted leaves.

Aphids reproduce rapidly and are often found on the undersides of leaves or near new plant growth. Some species also spread plant viruses.

Prevent an outbreak:

Spray affected plants with a strong blast of water

Release ladybugs or lacewings as natural predators

Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil regularly

18. Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles are metallic green with copper-colored wings, about ½ inch long. They are highly destructive to over 300 species of plants, particularly roses, grapes, and fruit trees.

Adults chew through leaves, leaving behind a lacy skeleton. Their larvae—grubs—feed on grass roots and can damage lawns.

Battle them smart:

Knock them into soapy water early in the morning

Use traps cautiously—place them away from gardens

Apply milky spore or beneficial nematodes to control grubs

19. Spider Mites

Tiny and nearly invisible, spider mites are not true insects but arachnids. They form colonies on the undersides of leaves and spin fine webs. They feed by sucking plant juices, causing leaves to turn yellow, speckled, or drop off.

They thrive in hot, dry environments—often attacking houseplants, vegetables, and ornamentals during peak summer.

How to deal:

Raise humidity using a mister or humidifier

Rinse plant leaves with water regularly

Apply miticides or horticultural oil if infestation grows

20. Lace Bugs

Lace bugs are small, flat insects with lace-like wings, typically found on the undersides of leaves. They suck sap from plants, causing stippled yellow or bronze damage, often followed by leaf drop.

They commonly affect azaleas, hawthorns, and other ornamental plants. Their damage is often confused with nutrient deficiency.

Management methods:

Check the undersides of leaves regularly

Prune and dispose of heavily infested foliage

Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil

Don’t Let Summer Bugs Win—Control Is Possible

Whether you’re battling ants in your kitchen, flies around your garbage can, or mosquitoes ruining your evening on the porch, understanding your enemy is half the battle. Armed with the right knowledge and tools—from flying insect traps to natural repellents—you can reclaim your home and garden from even the most persistent summer insects.

If you’re dealing with a major infestation or have questions about the safest solutions for your family and pets, reach out to a licensed pest control expert in your area.

Most Asked FAQs

1. What is the best way to keep insects out of the house during summer?
Seal cracks, use flying insect traps, maintain cleanliness, and eliminate indoor humidity.

2. How do I get rid of mosquitoes naturally?
Remove standing water, install window screens, and use citronella or UV mosquito traps.

3. Are bug zappers effective for flies?
Yes, especially in enclosed spaces and low-light conditions. Combine with sticky traps for full coverage.

4. What’s the most common summer pest in the U.S.?
Mosquitoes top the list, followed by ants, flies, and yellow jackets.