Roseland’s Small-Town Tenderness and Lasting Friendships

Picnic Predators, Compost Squatters, and Underground Lone Wolves

Roseland is a favorite place for pests to visit. They flourish here, with some species showing off in hot weather and others coming to life when things cool down. 

Yellowjackets are a type of large wasp that shine in summer. They become active during picnics and outdoor gatherings, practically appearing on hamburgers and hot dogs as frequently as mustard and ketchup. They’re highly attracted to sugary drinks and fly into uncovered sodas, occasionally stinging unsuspecting sippers. Trash cans are another favorite restaurant of these flying foodies.

Mice are common household pests that may nest outdoors during summer. They set up camp in sheds, piles of firewood, and dense vegetation, taking advantage of the warm weather before sneaking into your home as autumn arrives. Bird feeders attract mice, as they sneak bites of the seed that falls below. Compost piles, pet food, and rotting fruit fallen from trees lure them, too.

Clover mites are tiny, red arachnids with distinct reproductive talents. These mites are entirely female and keep their species thriving by effectively giving birth to clones of themselves. This means a single mite doesn’t even need a partner in crime to cause an infestation; an independent woman, she can do it all on her own. In summer, they tend to go dormant, becoming more active as the weather cools. 

Earwigs are colloquially known as pincher bugs, a nod to their tiny plier-like appendages. They are typically more problematic in gardens and outdoor areas than inside, although they might infest laundry rooms, crawl spaces, bathrooms, and other damp areas. These little guys are more likely to enter homes and buildings during the summer if the weather is dry and they’re seeking moisture. 

Ground bees are a solitary species that, true to their name, live alone in underground nests rather than in colony-filled hives. They’re more active in summer and may be spotted on grass, in soil, and in garden beds. Signs of their presence include tiny mounds of loose dirt resembling volcanoes and making your Roseland lawn look like a Whack-a-Mole game. Not the most landscape-friendly pests, they are some of the most docile; they rarely sting unless physically handled.