Summer Pest Myths That Are Putting Your Long Island Home at Risk

Summer on Long Island is made for backyard BBQs, beach weekends, and soaking up the sun—not for dealing with unexpected pest problems. But if you’re believing common summer pest myths, you might be setting your home up for trouble.

At Knockout Pest Control, we’ve been helping Long Island homeowners stay pest-free for nearly 50 years. We’ve heard it all—from “My house is brick, so termites can’t get in” to “If I don’t see ants, I don’t have them.” Unfortunately, these myths can lead to costly damage and stubborn infestations if left unchecked.

Let’s set the record straight. Here are the top summer pest myths putting your Long Island home at risk—and what to do instead.

Pest Myth #1: Brick Homes Don’t Get Termites

Reality: Termites don’t care what your house looks like on the outside.

Even if your Long Island home is built with brick or stone, chances are the internal structure includes wood framing, beams, subflooring, and trim. That’s exactly what termites are after. Subterranean termites—the most common type in our area—enter from underground and can easily tunnel through cracks in the foundation or gaps around pipes to reach their food source.

What to do: Schedule an annual termite inspection with a licensed pest control company on Long Island. Knockout’s experts know how to spot the subtle signs of termite activity and can install preventative treatments to keep them out before they ever get in.

Pest Myth #2: If You Don’t See Pests, You Don’t Have Them

Reality: Many pests stay hidden—until it’s too late.

Summer pests like ants, termites, cockroaches, and rodents are masters of hiding in walls, basements, crawlspaces, and attics. By the time you spot them out in the open, a full infestation may already be underway. Ants, for example, often nest deep inside walls or under foundations and may only send out a few scouts in the beginning.

What to do: Don’t wait for a visual confirmation. Regular pest control inspections are key to identifying early signs of activity before it becomes a bigger issue. Knockout’s KO-12 Annual Plan offers year-round protection and early detection, so you can enjoy your summer worry-free.

Pest Myth #3: DIY Pest Control Sprays Are Enough

Reality: Store-bought sprays may offer a quick fix—but they rarely solve the problem.

While DIY sprays can kill visible pests on contact, they don’t address the root of the problem: the colony or nesting site. Worse, overuse of sprays can actually drive pests deeper into your home or make them resistant over time.

What to do: Trust professional pest control services. Our team at Knockout uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques that are targeted, effective, and safer for your home and family.

Pest Myth #4: Termite Season Ends in Spring

Reality: Termites are active 24/7, 365 days of the year.

While spring swarming gets most of the attention, termites don’t take summers off. Once swarmers (the reproductive termites) establish a new colony, the worker termites begin feeding around the clock. Summer heat and humidity actually speed up their metabolism, increasing the rate at which they damage wood.

What to do: Termite control on Long Island is a year-round need. If you missed your spring inspection, now’s the time to catch up.

Protect Your Long Island Home from Pest Infestations This Summer

Don’t let summer pest myths catch you off guard. At Knockout Pest Control, we help Long Island homeowners stay ahead of pest problems with expert inspections, proven solutions, and smart prevention strategies—all tailored to your home.

Call (800) 244-PEST or schedule your inspection online now to knock out summer pests before they do damage.