ON THE RADAR
Bugs Be Gone!
Exploring effective strategies for keeping summer insects away.
By Sean Deasy | Illustrations by Guilherme Henrique
CANADIAN SUMMERS ARE BELOVED. And truly savouring the season outdoors typically includes preventing encounters with insects. Sure, some of them are beneficial — earwigs, for instance, feed on plant-eating bugs — but they’re still bugs we need to monitor. So, whether you’re camping, cottaging or just relaxing in the backyard, watch out for these key insects — mosquitoes, black flies, wasps and hornets, fleas and the aforementioned earwigs. Here’s how to ward them off.
MOSQUITOES
WHAT: A mosquito bite can be quite itchy and, for some people, can trigger allergic reactions. Mosquitoes can also spread diseases like the West Nile virus. These annoying insects locate their target (your bare skin) with a receptor that detects carbon dioxide, temperature, body odours and movement.
WHEN: Abundant from May to September in most parts of Canada, mosquitoes can be active any time of day, and their peak period of activity is from dusk until dawn. They also favour shaded areas and overcast days and avoid hot sunny days, which can dry them out and kill them.
PREVENTION: According to Health Canada, you can prevent mosquito bites by using repellents containing DEET on exposed skin and wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants (light-colored, loose-fitting clothing is best), socks and closed-toe shoes — especially during peak periods of dawn and dusk. Around your home, preventative steps include keeping lawns mowed shorter and eliminating standing water.
BLACK FLIES
WHAT: These are small, typically dark-coloured bugs. In Canada, there are 162 (of the more than 2,300 worldwide) species of black flies, some of which are known for inflicting bites to consume blood, not unlike mosquitoes. Black flies vary in length, from two to six millimetres, and typically have large wings, large eyes and short antennae. According to the pest-control experts at Orkin Canada, black fly bites can cause a range of reactions in humans, from mild irritation to more severe symptoms. The severity often depends on an individual’s sensitivity to the black fly’s saliva. Black fly bites often result in intense itching, swelling, redness, and a burning sensation.
WHEN: Black flies are most prevalent on hot, humid days, typically from mid-May to late June.
PREVENTION: The peak period of black fly activity is daytime hours. Use insect repellent and cover exposed skin with long sleeves and long pants. If you’re going to be outside for a lengthy period, consider wearing the fine mesh netting that beekeepers wear over their heads.
WASPS AND HORNETS
WHAT: Here in Canada, there are more than 500 species of wasps, most of which live in colonies by the thousands. The peak period for wasps is late summer to early fall. That’s when wasp colonies are at their largest and on the hunt for food. How can you tell wasps apart from bees? According to the David Suzuki Foundation, the key difference in appearance is that bees are much hairier than wasps, and typically have a wide body, while wasps are longer and narrower. One type of wasp is the hornet, which is distinguishable from other types of wasps due to their larger size and painful sting. Though they may be hostile or aggressive, they only attack when threatened or defending their nest.
WHEN: During wasp season, these pollinating insects are building nests, seeking food and feeding their larvae. Though crucial in maintaining natural plant communities, wasps can be dangerous when threatened. They’re generally harmless to humans but pose life-threatening risks to those with a wasp-sting allergy.
PREVENTION: According to the pest-control specialists at GTA Toronto Pest Control, to prevent wasp infestations, focus on early spring actions such as sealing cracks and crevices to deter queen wasps from establishing nests, and eliminating attractants like food waste and standing water.
EARWIGS
WHAT: There are approximately 2,000 species of earwigs worldwide. They feed on plants and vegetation, which can potentially damage crops and gardens. When it’s hot and dry, earwigs tend to seek shelter indoors, including houses, sheds and garages.
WHEN: Earwigs are mostly nocturnal, typically hiding in small, moist crevices during the day and feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants at night. They thrive on humid conditions in summer, when there’s more decaying organic matter to sustain them.
PREVENTION: According to Orkin Canada, earwigs are generally harmless to humans; they don't bite or sting and are not poisonous. To prevent them from entering your home, focus on reducing moisture around the foundation, sealing cracks and openings in walls and around windows and doors, clearing away leaf litter and debris, and ensuring proper drainage away from the house.
PETS’ PEST: FLEAS
WHAT: Sadly, our pets don’t escape pest season. The key insect? The flea, which includes 2,500 species of small flightless insects. Fleas are parasitic, feeding by sucking blood from mammals and birds. Adult fleas typically feed several times a day, and their bites can cause itchiness and irritation. Different flea species move in different ways — mainly jumping and crawling — and will spend much of their entire life on a host.
WHEN: Fleas are a year-round pest; however, they have a more prominent presence in the summer months when pets (potential hosts) are exploring and playing outdoors with an increased chance of encountering other animals that could be carrying fleas.
PREVENTION: The Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel (CPEP), which provides guidelines for parasite management in dogs and cats, suggests taking a proactive approach. You can reduce the chance of having fleas in your home by regularly inspecting your pet’s coat and fecal monitoring by a veterinarian. Before exploring any flea prevention technique, such as a topical treatment, consult with your veterinarian as some dogs can be allergic to external treatments. CAA
More Bugs!
Here are some other common insects you may encounter in an Ontario summer.