ORLANDO, Fla. – With all the tropical downpours the last few days, are insect sightings becoming more frequent?
It’s not the eyes playing tricks, it’s a thing. Insects like us are impacted by the rain too. Just like a baseball game or beach day getting canceled for rain, bugs adjust their activities in response to weather patterns too. In fact, the wetter the climate, the more insects thrive.
Rainfall creates a hospitable environment for many insect species, as it prompts potential predators to seek shelter, affording insects ample opportunity to forage without the threat of predation.
Can you blame them? However, not all insects have the same level of activity during rainfall; smaller species like ants, for instance, may suffer damage to their habitats from even light rain showers.
Let’s talk about a few pests that show up especially during Florida’s hot and stormy summer days and nights.
Roaches and palmetto bugs. Florida, as you may know, has them. Not to mention they fly. The last thing you want to see is one of these creepy guys on the wall or scurrying out of a cabinet or in your bathroom or kitchen. Why do they like our homes so much after it rains it seems?
Well, the rain, if heavy enough, can wash the roaches from the sewers or hiding spots like mulch right outside the front door of your home.
Roaches seek out warm, moist, and dark places in your home all while contaminating every surface they touch and even triggering allergies or asthma.
Until someone comes up with a roach-proof home, the best thing anyone can do to prevent them from taking over your home is to keep food in sealed bags and never leave food out overnight, including pet food.
Regular pest control will help too along with making sure your drains remain clear and clean. Also, weatherstripping on the entrances to the home are a good added barrier.
Mosquitoes– they’re like experts at finding water, especially after it rains. They love to lay their eggs in even tiny puddles, and before you know it, they’ve got a whole army of larvae ready to grow up into adults super fast. So, to stop them from taking over, make sure you get rid of any standing water around your place right after it rains. Check your gutters to make sure they’re draining properly, and don’t forget to empty out any pots or buckets where water might collect.
Let’s keep those mosquitoes at bay!
Let’s talk about termites. They love moisture-damaged wood, so it’s crucial to keep an eye out for any signs of water damage and get those leaks fixed pronto. And speaking of rain, while it’s great for our plants and the drought, it also brings out a bunch of pests like aphids, slugs, and snails. So, keep an eye on your garden after rainfall and take action if you spot any troublemakers.
Oh, and those ground-dwelling ants? They’re masters at finding dry spots in our homes during heavy rain. Seal up any entry points to keep them out and prevent indoor infestations.
By staying ahead of these pest problems and understanding how weather affects insect behavior, we can keep our homes and gardens pest-free.