Late summer in Minnesota is a great time to be outside. Unfortunately, the bugs seem to think so too.
Mosquitoes are still hanging around. Wasps start showing up where you least want them. Ants find their way inside, and other pests can become more noticeable around the house, yard, farm, or lake place.
The good news? Our team has dealt with plenty of pest problems over the years.
So, we asked the Farm City Supply team:
What pest do customers ask you about most, and what product or solution do you usually recommend?
Every home and pest problem is a little different, but these are the products our team reaches for most often.
What Our Team Recommends for Late-Summer Pests
Kelly – Crickets
One of the pests we get asked about most often, especially coming into fall, is crickets. As soon as I see the little ones start to show up, I’ll load up the sprayer with Permectrin and spray around the house, extending up onto the foundation and out into the yard a few feet.
Permectrin is very effective on crickets, as well as most other crawling insects, including boxelder bugs and Asian beetles. It has a strong residual, meaning it’ll last for several weeks as long as you don’t get a real heavy rain on it. It will last well through typical morning dews and light to moderate rainfall.
💡 Team tip: If you’re deciding between products, Permectrin offers similar effectiveness to Tempo/Cylence at roughly half the price, making it a smart, budget-friendly choice.
Alison – Fruit Flies
Summer usually brings pests like fruit flies into the house. Alison has always had good results with TERRO’s apple-shaped Fruit Fly Trap. It attracts and kills quickly and takes care of the whole infestation. Ask her how she knows…
💡 Team tip: If fruit flies keep coming back, check your kitchen for hidden sources like overripe produce, onions, or forgotten potatoes in the pantry.
Steve – Ants and Beetles
Steve uses Spectracide’s Triazicide Insect Killer for Lawns for all his ant problems in the yard. He recommends applying it to dry areas first, then watering the granules in.
💡 Team tip: Don’t skip the watering step. It helps activate the granules and move the treatment into the soil where insects live.
Leslie – Spiders
Leslie recommends Bug Max for helping control pests like spiders inside the house.
💡 Team tip: Pay extra attention to corners, basements, garages, and other quiet areas where spiders are most likely to hide.
Candace – Spiders and Other Pests
Candace hates bugs in her house and uses a fogger like Raid Max to help control pests indoors. To stop them from coming in, she uses Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier around the outside of the house.
💡 Team tip: A combination of treating existing pests indoors and creating a barrier outside can help provide longer-lasting protection.
Jay – Flies
Jay recommends TERRO’s Fly Magnet to help control flies in the summer. He warns that the smell is strong, but it really does a great job of trapping flies.
💡 Team tip: For the best results, place fly traps where flies tend to gather, like near trash cans, compost piles, or animal areas, instead of near patios or doorways. This helps keep them away from where you’re spending time.
Kelly – Wasps
With August’s hotter temperatures, wasps really start to show up, and nothing can ruin a family gathering at the lake faster than an angry swarm of wasps. Fortunately, there are several effective varieties of wasp and hornet sprays to combat them.
Be sure to look for one that has a long range. Many wasp sprays project over 20 feet, so you don’t have to get close to the nest. Foaming sprays are also useful because they blanket the entire nest with foam, helping trap the pests so they can’t escape and attack.
💡 Team tip: Always read the directions before using a wasp spray. Many long-range sprays don’t need to be shaken, so check the label on your specific product before spraying.
Alison – Flies with Pets
Alison uses Farnam’s Repel-X on her dog when black flies become a problem. Just spray it on and let the dog go. Her dog likes to roll in the grass after application, so she recommends keeping the dog in a dry space for a few minutes.
💡 Team tip: Repel-X is labeled for use on dogs and horses and helps keep flies away from your favorite pets. Always follow the product label.
Leslie – Mice
Leslie recommends Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent to keep mice away from homes, vehicles, and campers. It’s all-natural, works great, and has a pleasant fragrance.
💡 Team tip: If you already have a mouse problem, she recommends sticky traps. Mice prefer to travel along walls, so placing traps there can make them much more effective.
Why Do Pest Problems Get Worse in Late Summer?
By late summer, many pests have had months to build their populations and settle into yards, gardens, sheds, and other outdoor spaces.
You may also notice more pest activity as food sources change and cooler weather gets closer. Ants, wasps, mice, and other pests can start looking for food or shelter around homes and buildings.
The right solution depends on the pest and where you’re seeing it. That’s why identifying the problem before grabbing a pest-control product can save a lot of frustration.
Bring Us Your Pest Problems
Pest control can feel like a lot of trial and error, especially when you’re not sure what you’re dealing with. That’s where our team comes in.
Whether you’re fighting bugs in the yard, wasps around the house, or getting ready for mice before colder weather arrives, stop by Farm City Supply. Tell us what’s bugging you, and we’ll help you find a place to start.
Late-Summer Pest Control FAQs
What pests are most common in Minnesota during late summer?
Late summer often brings an increase in crickets, wasps, flies, fruit flies, ants, spiders, and mice as temperatures begin to change. Many of these pests become more active around homes, garages, barns, cabins, and campers.
What products does the Farm City Supply team recommend for late-summer pests?
Our team frequently recommends products like Permectrin for crickets, TERRO Fruit Fly Traps for fruit flies, Spectracide Triazicide for ants, Bug Max for spiders, Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier for indoor pest prevention, TERRO Fly Magnet for flies, Repel-X for pets, and Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent to help keep mice away.
When should I start treating late-summer pests?
The earlier, the better. Treating pests when you first notice activity can help prevent larger infestations later in the season and make products more effective.
Can Farm City Supply help me choose the right pest-control product?
Absolutely. Our team can help you identify the pest you’re dealing with and recommend a product that fits your situation, whether you’re treating your home, yard, farm, garage, camper, or lake place.
Should I prepare for mice before fall?
Yes. Late summer is a great time to start preventing mice before temperatures drop. Products like Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent can help keep mice out of homes, garages, campers, and other buildings before they start looking for warm places to nest.
