Why does it always seem like rainy days tend to lead to more pests in and around your Florida home or business? Have you noticed that after a rainstorm, mosquitoes seem to be everywhere? You’re not alone. Rainy days can and do lead to an increase in the presence of all sorts of pests, including mosquitoes, ants, and other insects.
At McCall Service, we’re experts at dealing with pests. No matter what the weather may be outside, we can help prevent unwelcome visitors from entering your home or business. But before we pay a visit to your home, let’s take a look at why some pests just seem to be more pronounced in the aftermath of a spring or summer rain shower.
How Rain Leads to Increased Pest Activity
Mosquitoes and Moisture
It’s no secret that mosquitoes thrive in areas where they can find standing water. After all, that’s where they lay their eggs. Birdbaths, old tires, buckets, flowerpots, and wheelbarrows are all perfect places for mosquitoes to breed and start their family. Mosquitoes have also been known to lay “dry eggs” in these places, even if moisture isn’t present. When it rains, it pours: The water from the storms activates the eggs and causes them to hatch. That’s where your mosquito issue is likely stemming from.
Rain and Termites
It’s not just mosquitoes you need to worry about, however. Termites often thrive after rain arrives. Lengthy showers can soften wood. Termites, as we know, love soft, wet wood. If your lawn or landscaping offers them dead trees, stumps, roots, or other wood debris, it could lead to a termite buffet.
Ants Marching to Get Out of the Rain
You remember the song about ants marching, right? They’re doing it to get out of the rain. They’ll keep doing it, too, especially if the rain persists for several days. It’s a good idea after a particularly heavy storm to check your kitchen countertops for crumbs and other invitations for ants to take up residence inside your home.
Other Potential Pests
Additionally, other bugs will try to escape the moisture-laden environment to get into your home. Insects like spiders and flies have been known to hang upside down beneath leaves and inside the services in tree bark. After a few days of heavy rain, your house will start to look pretty attractive.
Bugs in soil are impacted by heavy downpours as well. Centipedes, millipedes, and silverfish will seek out areas that are just a little dryer than saturated soil, which often leads them to your decks, walkways, cellars, or bathrooms (if they can get inside your home).
Preventing Pest Infestations After Rain
The best way to keep pests from entering your home after a heavy rain—or any time—is to seal up cracks and crevices around your foundation. Check windows for potential leaks, too, and look for gaps in weatherstripping around your doors. As far as mosquitoes are concerned, eliminating the potential for the collection of standing water is key; turn over empty flower pots, wheelbarrows, and regularly drain stagnant birdbaths.
Contact McCall Service for Regular Pest Prevention
In addition to taking steps on your own, contacting a professional pest control company can go a long way in removing the risk of pest problems. McCall Service has helped our Florida neighbors with their pest issues for decades. Whether it’s ants, spiders, termites, or other unpleasant pests, trust our highly-trained pest elimination experts to take care of it. We’ll provide a thorough inspection of your home and determine both existing issues and potential risk factors. To learn more, contact us to schedule an inspection today.
