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JP McHale’s Ultimate Guide to Preventing Late Summer Pests: Stinging Insects, Carpenter Ants, Mosquitoes, and Ticks
It’s peak season for pests like stinging insects, carpenter ants, mosquitoes, and ticks. This is because the longer days and more abundant vegetation provide much more time and food for these pests to feed. Not only are they extremely active at this time, disrupting your late summer fun, these pests can pose significant health risks.
Here’s a guide to understanding and preventing these pests from spoiling your end-of-summer activities.
Stinging Insects including bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets, are particularly aggressive in late summer and fall due to a combination of factors including, a lack of food and water, their life cycle, and the weather. These insects can deliver painful stings, which may cause allergic reactions in some people.
Prevention Tips:
- Avoid Attractants: Keep food and drinks covered during outdoor activities and promptly clean up spills.
- Seal Entry Points: Ensure that windows, doors, and screens are in good repair to prevent these pests from entering your home.
- Remove Nests: Regularly inspect your property for wasp nests. If you find one, consider calling a professional to remove it safely.
- JP McHale’s Stinging Insect Protection works with the goal of mitigation treatment to eliminate the queen from the nest; once the queen is removed, the workers will go elsewhere to a new colony.
Carpenter Ants are large black or reddish ants that tunnel wood to build their nests, causing structural damage over time. They are particularly attracted to damp or decaying wood, which can be more prevalent with late summer rains.
Prevention Tips:
- Eliminate Moisture: Fix leaks and ensure proper drainage around your home to reduce damp wood that attracts carpenter ants.
- Seal Cracks: Seal any cracks or gaps in your home's foundation, windows, and doors to prevent entry.
- Remove Wood Debris: Clear away any wood debris, stumps, and logs around your home. Store firewood away from your house and off the ground.
- JP McHale’s Ant Management and Elimination Services features our highly trained team of pest management professionals who will eliminate carpenter ants from your home.
Mosquitoes are small flying insects that feed on blood. They are notorious for their itchy bites and can transmit diseases like the West Nile virus.
Prevention Tips:
- Eliminate Standing Water: Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Empty and clean birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, and other containers that collect water.
- Use Screens: Ensure that windows and doors have intact screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks when outdoors, especially during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
- JP McHale’s Organic Mosquito Control Program is environmentally friendly and completely safe for your family and pets. It includes four applications annually to help reduce the mosquito population on your property.
Ticks are small arachnids that feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles. They can transmit diseases like Lyme disease, which remains a concern through late summer into early fall.
Prevention Tips:
- Avoid Tick Habitats: Stay clear of tall grasses, wooded areas, and leaf piles where ticks are commonly found. Stick to the center of trails when hiking.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks. Tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants to prevent ticks from reaching your skin.
- Check for Ticks: After spending time outdoors, thoroughly check your body, clothes, and pets for ticks. Promptly remove any ticks using fine-tipped tweezers.
- JP McHale’s LymeGuard+Tick and Mosquito Service with the added protection of LymeShield, provides comprehensive coverage against ticks and the devastating diseases they transmit, like Lyme Disease. LymeSheid utilizes advanced technology in the form of six-well stations, which are strategically placed on your property to vaccinate Lyme-carrying mice. This way, the mice are no longer carrying the infection, and in turn, they are no longer able to pass that infection onto a tick which could then go on and spread the disease further to humans and other animals.
For more information, contact JP McHale Pest Management at (332) 213-5002 or visit https://nopests.com.
America’s Top Lifestyle Expert Debuts Deeply Personal One-Man Show Benefiting Survivors of Domestic Violence Westport, CT: Mar Jennings, an Emmy®-nominated, nationally syndicated television host, award-winning Realtor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and influencer, adds storyteller and performer to his dynamic career with “Mar Jennings — ONE-MAN SHOW”, a powerful and deeply personal production debuting May 22, 2026, at Sacred Heart University Community Theatre. This one-night-only performance is expected to sell out quickly. In a meaningful commitment to community impact, 100% of the proceeds will benefit The Center for Family Justice, supporting survivors of domestic violence, abuse, and trauma, with a fundraising goal of $200,000 going directly to the cause. “This chapter is about truth, legacy, and using my story for something bigger than myself,” says Jennings. “When I realized this show could raise real money for charity, it gave the project a deeper purpose. I’m ready to share my story now in a way I simply wasn’t before.” Years in the making, the production reflects both a lifetime of experiences and a turning point toward giving back in a more profound way. The result is a deeply human performance that balances vulnerability with purpose. Blending storytelling, humor, and raw honesty, Jennings shares a journey of resilience, reinvention, and hope, offering the audience an intimate, unfiltered look at overcoming life’s most difficult moments. “The hardest part is choosing what to reveal and what to hold sacred,” Jennings shares. “But if my story helps someone feel less alone, then every moment of discomfort is worth it.” Mar Jennings — ONE-MAN SHOW promises to be emotional, inspiring, and unforgettable, designed to create a genuine connection between performer and audience, reminding people that hope is real, that healing is possible, and that none of us are alone in the dark. "Mar’s decision to speak publicly about his journey marks an important moment, and we are grateful for his trust,” says Mark Antonini, President & CEO of The Center for Family Justice. “His voice will resonate with so many, and we are fully committed to supporting him and ensuring the success of this meaningful event.” “I’m ready to tell the whole story—the real one,” says Jennings. “If my journey can become a spark for someone else… if my pain can be transformed into power for others… then it all means something.” About Mar Jennings Mar Jennings is a nationally recognized lifestyle expert, bestselling author, television host, and speaker known for home design, entertaining, and lifestyle transformation. He is also a top-producing real estate professional and founder of The Mar Jennings Team, bringing his signature Casual Luxury® approach to every listing. Jennings uses his platform to inspire connection, positive change, and support for survivor advocacy. About The Center for Family Justice The Center for Family Justice provides crisis intervention, safe housing, counseling, and advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and child abuse—helping individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Event Details Mar Jennings — ONE-MAN SHOW May 22, 2026 Sacred Heart University Community Theatre, Fairfield, CT Tickets: $54 http://shucommunitytheatre.showare.com/MarJenningsOne-ManShow
A one-of-a-kind alcohol-free wellness dance experience showcasing elevated mocktails, mindful connection, and vineyard sunsets. NEWTOWN, CT — Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, Connecticut’s award-winning experience-focused vineyard and event venue, is redefining what a night out at the vineyard can look like with its upcoming “Sunset Session: Sober Silent Disco in the Vineyards.” This immersive golden-hour event invites guests to dance beneath the open sky with wireless headphones, curated music channels, breathtaking vineyard views, and a refreshing lineup of handcrafted mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages. Hosted in partnership with Autumn Fletcher, the event offers a vibrant alcohol-free social experience designed for guests seeking connection, movement, and joy in a mindful atmosphere. As the sun sets over the vines, attendees will sip beautifully crafted zero-proof drinks while enjoying the peaceful magic of the vineyard in a completely new way. “At Aquila’s Nest, we are proud to offer more than wine—we create experiences for every lifestyle and every guest ,” said Neviana Zhgaba, Co-Founder of Aquila’s Nest Vineyards. “From our signature mocktails to wellness gatherings, silent discos, yoga, and live music, we want everyone to feel they can fully enjoy the beauty of the vineyard in a way that feels right for them.” The Sunset Sober Silent Disco is part of Aquila’s Nest’s growing portfolio of inclusive experiences that showcase the vineyard as a destination for wellness, celebration, creativity, and community . Guests can expect an unforgettable evening where vineyard sunsets meet music, movement, and sophisticated zero-proof offerings that prove the vineyard experience extends far beyond the wine glass. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 7 PM to 8:45 PM , Early arrival is encouraged to enjoy mocktails before the sunset silent disco in the vines begins. For tickets and details, visit: Reserve Your Sunset Silent Disco Experience
Newtown, CT - Fairfield Hills Music Festival returns May 16 in Newtown, CT with 10 bands, two stages, food trucks, and a high-energy mix of national and local talent.
Westport, CT - The Westport Downtown Association, Inc. (WDA) presents Fashionably Westport for the sixth year, an evening that brings together fashion, community, and philanthropy in support of Homes with Hope. This year’s event promises an elevated yet intimate experience, featuring over twenty local boutiques, seven salons, and a dynamic lineup of 90 models. The Westport community is looking forward to coming together once again to celebrate this hometown event while supporting a meaningful cause. “The WDA is excited to host our 6th annual Fashionably Westport in support of Homes with Hope,” said Maxwell Crowley, President of the WDA. “It’s a great opportunity to bring the community together while highlighting and supporting our local businesses.” The event will be held at the Westport Library on Saturday, April 25th, from 7 to 10 p.m. Event Information: Visit the official event website Tickets: Purchase tickets on Eventbrite The WDA is honored to welcome Lonnie Quinn as co-emcee. Lonnie is an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist and has served as the Chief weathercaster for CBS News New York since 2007. A Westport resident, Quinn brings both energy and local connection to the evening. The WDA is excited to welcome back Dave Briggs as co-emcee. Briggs is a former CNN, NBC Sports, Fox News, and Turner Sports anchor. He has lived in Westport with his family since 2008. Finally, the WDA is excited to welcome the return of Carey Price , owner of Westport-based The Cove Collective, as runway director. Price is a Parsons School of Design alum with experience working alongside top fashion designers. No charity event is complete without a silent auction. The proceeds will benefit Homes with Hope. In 2024, the WDA raised $20,000, and hopes to exceed that goal this year. This year, the local business community has shown up in a big way, with over 100 donations. The silent auction is not to be missed. Explore all of the generous silent auction donors here , and stay tuned as the auction goes live on April 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Stamford, CT — Brews on Bedford, presented by Stamford Downtown, returns on Saturday, May 30 from 2–5pm in Latham Park on Bedford Street, featuring craft beer. Tickets are on sale now through Afton . Guests can fill a sampling glass with beer from a variety of regional breweries while enjoying live music, lawn games, and local food vendors. Participating breweries include: Berlinetta Brewing, Best Friends Lunch, Captain Zig, Delta Seltzers, Greenwich Brewing Company, Half Full Brewery, Hop & Vine Tap Room, Nod Hill Brewery, Twelvenote Brew Co, Whalers and more to come! General Admission Tickets for Brews on Bedford are $30 for Early Birds until April 20, so get your tickets now! A limited number of VIP tickets are available for an additional $10, granting early entry at 1pm (VIP hours: 1–5pm). The entry fee includes a tasting glass, unlimited samples (while supplies last) and entertainment. All guests must be 21 or older. Valid ID is required for admission, including: A current motor vehicle operator’s license A state-issued identity card A valid passport or Global ID accompanied by another form of photo ID Digital IDs are not accepted. Please drink responsibly and know your limits. No pets or children under 21 will be admitted. Brews on Bedford is presented by Stamford Downtown and supported by Hey Stamford! and Star 99.9. For more information, visit Stamford Downtown Brews on Bedford and to purchase tickets, visit: BrewsonBedfordTicketsatAfton
Stamford, CT - Experience Smokey Robinson live at The Palace Theatre Stamford on April 16 during his Legacy of Love Tour. A night of timeless Motown hits awaits.