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Mornings by the pool, afternoons at the barbecue, nights at the ice cream store. Just another summer day for people - and for pests. According to the experts, flying and stinging insects arrive in full force in summer to enjoy the warm, sunny days.

"Yellow jackets, mosquitoes and flies are just a few flying insects that homeowners might see this summer," said Bill Melville, quality assurance manager for a pest control service. "But these pests are more than an annoyance — they can pose a serious health threat, too."

Stings from yellow jackets can result in painful and severe allergic reactions, especially in children. In addition to itchy bites, mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus. Every time they land, flies can transmit bacteria, including E. coli, staphylococcus and salmonella, threatening food safety.

Homeowners find these insects buzzing around their picnic areas because the pests build colonies and nests where they have access to constant food sources. Flies and yellow jackets like snacking on favourite summertime treats like chips, cookies and soda, which provide the sugar and protein sources necessary for their survival.

In the case of mosquitoes, the people enjoying the summertime treats are the mosquitoes' next meal. Birdbaths, ornamental ponds, and puddles from pools and sprinkler systems offer prime breeding spots for the pests. These flying furies can breed in a tiny amount of standing water, even as small as a thimble.

To help prevent flying and stinging insects from ruining your summer fun, the following measures are recommended to make homes and yards less attractive to the pests:

• Keep food in tightly sealed containers when picnicking.

• Cover soda cans. Yellow jackets often enter cans unseen.

• Empty and wash garbage cans regularly to keep pest-attracting food and beverage residue from building up.

• Fit screens and tighten seals properly on doors and windows.

• Remove puddles of stagnant water to eliminate potential mosquito breeding spots.

• Monitor for nests frequently and call a licensed pest control professional immediately for safe treatment and removal.