Summer Pests: Prevention Is Key for Successful Short-Term Rentals

Caio Pavanelli
8/7/2026

If you’re like me, constantly verifying everything to ensure your guests’ satisfaction, it’s essential to keep your property free from pests, especially during the summer. It’s unanimous for pest control companies that this time of the year is perfect for pests since they increase their reproduction and have longer active periods due to extended daylight hours. By following simple prevention tips and educating both your team and guests, you can create a pleasant and pest-free environment, avoiding discomfort or bad reviews from your guests.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are annoying bugs that bite and can make you itchy. They can also spread diseases, which is why we want to keep them away. Here’s what you can do:

• Get rid of standing water where mosquitoes breed, like in buckets or clogged gutters.
• Put screens on windows and doors to stop mosquitoes from coming inside.
• Give guests mosquito repellents (citronella is great!) to use outdoors.

Ants

Ants love to come inside looking for food and water. To keep them away, follow these tips:

• Seal cracks and holes in walls, windows, and doors so ants can’t get in.
• Provide sealed containers so guests can properly store food.
• Look for ant trails in your property and take action to get rid of them.

Flies

Flies can be a real bother, especially in the kitchen. Here’s how to minimize their presence:

• Keep doors and windows closed or use screens.
• Put garbage in closed containers.
• Make sure the kitchen is well cleaned at every check-out.

Wasps and Bees

Wasps and bees can build nests near or inside your property, which can be dangerous, especially with young children. To prevent them, follow these steps:

• Check your property regularly for wasp or bee nests and have them removed by professionals.
• Close up any openings where they might get in.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one of the worst nightmares at short-term rentals. They are tiny bugs that can make your skin itch. We want to make sure they don’t invade our property. Here’s what we can do:

• Train your cleaning staff to recognize signs of bed bugs, like dark spots or bloodstains on bedding.
• Cover mattresses, pillows, and box springs with special covers that keep bed bugs out.
• Clean and vacuum upholstered furniture, like sofas and chairs, regularly.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are tough bugs that can make us sick and ruin our food. To keep them away:

• Like ants, they get in through cracks and holes in the wall. Make sure to seal those!
• Keep things clean and fix any leaks so they don’t have water or food.
• Clean kitchens and bathrooms often, as cockroaches like those areas.

Additionally, we can always educate our guests with best practices that will help us to keep these pests out of our properties. Believe it or not, they can be helpful in this process! A good practice is to send them a quick and friendly prevention instruction right after checking in:

“To ensure a pleasant stay, here are some quick tips for our guests to avoid issues with summer pests:

• Keep doors and windows always closed.
• Keep things clean and store food properly.
• Dispose of garbage in the right containers and make sure the lid is well locked.
• Report any sightings of wasps or bees to us.
• Learn how to spot signs of bed bugs and inform us immediately if you notice anything suspicious.”

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