We’re seeing some pretty intense thunderstorms with quite a bit of rain here in central Indiana. It shouldn’t be a surprise that rain can have a huge impact on pest activity and their ability to feed and reproduce before, during, and after rainfall.
Insects and small pests often have built-in barometers that sense the pressure drops associated with storms. Some underground pests will run for higher ground to avoid flooding, some will bury themselves in, and others may actually make it outdoors to take advantage of the humidity.
On the plus side, insects often don’t reproduce during storms and rainfall, so prolonged storms can really devastate infestations. Leading up to the storm, though, you may see a lot of movement and activity in your yard. Be sure to seal up any gaps in your foundation, openings in garage doors and doorways, and any other place around your home that insects can find their way in.
If you’re seeing quite a few insects before the storm, you’ll probably want to get your home inspected as they’ve probably found a way in and are busy building a highway for later!
Some larger pests may run for cover as their nests and dens become flooded. Keep an eye out for them and then watch for any locations in and around your house where there may be standing water. Adjust where your downspouts are pushing water and make sure it’s not getting into your foundation, cellar, or crawl space.
Standing water doesn’t attract just small animals, it’s also at the mating ground for bugs. A 2 or 3 inch deep puddle that’s hidden away in the brush of your yard can be a mating ground for a colony of mosquitoes that will breed tens of thousands. You’ll want to make sure you have good irrigation so the water is never standing. If you have a pool or fountain, you’ll want to be running your pumps periodically to keep the water moving.
After the rains have subsided and moisture has been absorbed, you may see signs of nesting in new locations in and around your home. Keep an eye out for hair and lint around the cracks outside your home… these may be where rodents are moving in and bringing some bedding with them.
Just as we’d run for cover or move our families indoors, so do pests. Ensuring that you have proper irrigation and a pest-proofed home can eliminate an infestation before, during, or after our summer storms here in central Indiana. Be sure to give us a call if you see signs of pests and we can schedule an inspection!
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