Pest issues are a common concern for homeowners, and storms often exacerbate these problems. Thunderstorms and heavy rainfalls can increase pest activity and lead to infestations.
To effectively manage and prevent these issues, it’s important to understand how storms impact pest behaviour and what steps you can take to safeguard your home.
Let’s get straight to the point
After storms, pest problems can increase due to the availability of food, water, and shelter. Pests like rodents, mosquitoes, and ants seek higher ground or enter homes when outdoor conditions worsen.
To prevent infestations, seal entry points, eliminate standing water, and inspect for damage or nests. Common post-storm pests include fire ants, carpenter ants, termites, and rodents.
Regular inspections, cleaning, and professional pest control can help manage and prevent these issues from escalating. Effective home maintenance is key to reducing pest activity after a storm.
Why Do Pests Thrive After Storms?
The Three Pillars of Pest Attraction
After a storm, pests are often drawn to homes because they offer the three essential elements they need to thrive:
- Food
- Water
- Shelter
Storms can make these resources more accessible. Flooding, downed trees, and wind damage can create new entry points into your home and offer shelter to pests. Additionally, stagnant water provides ideal breeding grounds for insects like mosquitoes.
Pest Activity Prior to the Storm
Many pests have natural instincts that alert them to impending weather changes. For instance:
- Insects may seek higher ground or try to enter your home as the storm approaches.
- Rodents may look for shelter in your home if outdoor conditions become unfavourable.
To prevent pests from entering your home, seal any potential entry points, such as gaps in your foundation, around doors, and in the garage.
Pest Activity During the Storm
Managing Water Pools
During a storm, keep an eye out for pools of standing water around your property. This water can seep into your basement or crawl space if not properly managed. Ensure that your downspouts are functioning correctly and redirect water away from your home.
Higher Ground for Larger Pests
Larger pests might seek higher ground to avoid floodwaters. Monitor your property for any new water sources that could attract pests and address them promptly.
Post-Disaster Pest Activity
Stagnant Water as a Breeding Ground
After a storm, stagnant water becomes a prime breeding ground for insects. A puddle just a few inches deep can host thousands of mosquitoes. Ensure you regularly check and maintain your irrigationsystem, and operate pool or fountain pumps to keep water moving.
Nesting Opportunities
Post-storm conditions may expose new nesting sites both inside and outside your home. Inspect your property for signs of pest activity, such as nests or droppings, especially in areas that were previously covered or hidden.
Common Pests After Storms
Fire Ants
Fire ants are notorious for their painful bites and stings. They become more active after storms as they search for new nesting sites.
Indications of Fire Ants
Look for characteristic mounds in your yard, which become more prominent after rain. These mounds often have a “fluffy” appearance and are usually accompanied by a network of underground tunnels.
How to Avoid Fire Ants
- Clean Up: Remove outdoor trash and debris that can serve as a bridge into your home.
- Secure Food: Store pet food in airtight containers.
- Destroy Mounds: Treat or remove fire ant mounds from your property.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects that can cause significant damage to your home. They are attracted to moist, rotting wood.
Indications of Carpenter Ants
Signs of an infestation include sawdust-like material around wooden surfaces, which indicates their tunnelling activity.
How to Avoid Carpenter Ants
- Dry Wood: Ensure all wood surfaces are dry and free of damage.
- Inspect Regularly: Check for mould and water damage frequently.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are a major concern due to their ability to transmit diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus.
Indications of Mosquitoes
You may not see mosquitoes easily, but their bites leave itchy, red bumps. If you notice an increase in mosquitoes, it’s often due to stagnant water.
How to Avoid Mosquitoes
- Eliminate Standing Water: Drain any water that has accumulated in bird baths, gutters, or other containers.
- Maintain Dryness: Ensure that any outdoor water features are properly maintained.
House Flies
House flies can enter through damaged screens or broken windows and are known for spreading bacteria.
Indications of House Flies
House flies are attracted to decomposing food and can spread diseases. If you see maggots, it’s a sign of a possible infestation.
How to Avoid House Flies
- Repair Screens: Fix any tears or holes in window and door screens.
- Seal Food: Store food and trash properly.
Termites
Termites can cause severe structural damage to your home. They thrive in damp conditions and are a major concern after storms.
Indications of Termites
Look for shed wings or mud tubes on walls, which indicate termite activity.
How to Avoid Termites
- Repair Damage: Fix any rotting wood and clear away debris near your home.
- Encapsulation: Consider encapsulating your crawl space to prevent termite entry.
Rodents
Rodents like rats and mice seek refuge indoors after storms due to flooding and damage to their outdoor nests.
Indications of Rodents
Signs include droppings, nests, and gnawed materials. Check often-overlooked areas like attics and crawl spaces.
How to Avoid Rodents
- Seal Entry Points: Block potential access points in your home.
- Inspect Regularly: Conduct thorough inspections to catch any signs of infestation early.
Solutions to Post-Storm Pest Problems
Pest problems often remain hidden until significant damage is done. Even minor breaches from storm damage can lead to infestations.
Inspection and Prevention
Carefully inspect your home for any unusual conditions or signs of pests. Look for loose dirt, damaged screens, or small holes that could be entry points.
Professional Pest Control
For ongoing or severe infestations, professional pest control services can be highly effective. These experts use advanced techniques to monitor, analyse, and address pest issues while minimising the use of pesticides.
Conclusion
Storms can create ideal conditions for pests to invade your home. By understanding the behaviour of pests and implementing preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of infestations. Regular inspections, proper maintenance, and timely professional assistance are key to keeping your home pest-free after a storm.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Might You Know If You Have A Problem With Pests?
Scratching sounds, chewing noises, squeaking noises, and scurrying could be heard frequently. If you listen carefully, you might even pick up the sounds of larger bugs. Tiny holes in the walls or flooring, or holes in the yard or building itself, are a telltale sign of an infestation.
What Could Be The Issue When Pests Are Out Of Control?
Several pests are known to transmit diseases that can lead to a variety of health problems. Salmonella, the hantavirus, and numerous other illnesses are all transmitted by rodents. Asthma and other allergic symptoms can be triggered by cockroach infestations. Many bugs are destructive, causing harm to your machinery and other possessions.
How Can Pests Be Controlled?
Management by Chemicals. Pesticides, chemicals that kill or otherwise hinder pests, are by far the most widely used method of pest control. Insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides are just a few examples of pesticides that can be sorted.
Which Pests Are The Most Difficult Pest To Eradicate?
Termites. Termites, which are eusocial insects, are often misidentified as white ants. Workers and reproductive swarmers are the two most common types of termites that invade homes.
How Can You Control Pests Without Harming The Environment?
If you want to limit the amount of chemicals you use in your yard, try using some physical methods like hand weeding, mulching, or setting traps, or introducing some non-invasive species like beneficial insects and wild, native plants.
