Does the changing weather have an impact on a pest’s activity? Different types of pests tend to thrive during different seasons and weather changes. It can be helpful to know which pests make an appearance during the varying seasons of the year so you can protect yourself and your home properly.
Hot Weather
Warm temperatures usually promote two things within pests. One being increased breeding and the other stimulates pests to forage for food and water. Insects that thrive in hot weather include mosquitoes, flies, ants, wasps, earwigs, spiders, and stink bugs. While these insects love the hot weather, other insects like cockroaches and silverfish, do better in colder temperatures and will usually try to come indoors to escape the heat.
Cold Weather
Cold weather most commonly brings pests indoors as they try to find somewhere sheltered and warm during the fall and winter months. Many insects enter a phase of dormancy due to their effects on the colder temperatures. This dormancy period decreases their overall activity and pests spend the majority of their energy simply surviving. Pests like rodents, spiders, beetles, and earwigs find their way inside while other insects like ants, cicadas, bumblebees, moths, and crickets burrow underground to keep warm in the wintertime.
Dry Weather
Many pests are attracted to moist areas. When living in a dry climate, some insects may find their way inside a home looking for moisture in bathrooms, kitchen, or near any leaky pipes. While most pests prefer wetter environments, some pests like certain species of ants and beetles prefer a drier climate. If you live in a dry area, it is important to ensure that all pipes are secured and that there is no standing water within the walls of your home. It is also important to ensure that your home has proper ventilation. When taking showers or running water for an extended time, it is essential to turn on a fan to help keep the moisture levels down.
Wet Weather
Many pests thrive in humid environments. Some of these pests include cockroaches, silverfish, mosquitoes, ants, slugs, snails, centipedes, earwigs, and more. Wet weather can also promote the growth of fungi and mold which can attract pests like termites and cockroaches seeking damp environments. It can be beneficial to use dehumidifiers and to ensure proper ventilation in a home to help reduce the attractiveness of a humid environment to these pests. It is also essential to eliminate any standing water as these areas are often used as breeding grounds by pests.
With temperature changes influencing pest behaviors, it is important to stay informed on what pests are prevalent in your area and environment. By understanding the pests in your area, you can be more specific with your solutions, allowing your treatments to be more effective. For more information on pests and how to protect your home, check out Insight Pest Solution Northwest’s website.
