It’s the time of year in Central Indiana, where the rumbling sound of thunder and the exciting sighting of sudden lightning that comes just as fast as it leaves is a regular occurrence. A thunderstorm cloud contains enough water drops to fill up approximately 275-million-gallon jars equaling about 2.3 billion pounds, or 1.1 million tons of water! While these summer thunderstorms are impressive, beautiful, and cleansing, they may leave behind more than a good soak. Thunderstorms often have a significant impact on pest activity, making it more likely you will see more of a presence of tiny home invaders either before, during or in the fallout from the latest summer thunderstorm.
Who to Look Out For
There is always a seeming calm after a storm, but this isn’t the case when it comes to pests. Excessive rainfall floods insects nests and rodent shelters, drawing them into your home in search of a dry place to shelter. Don’t be surprised to find more mosquitoes, cockroaches, termites, ants and yellow jackets as the storms subside leaving behind more than puddles.
Mosquitoes: Not only do mosquitoes bite, leaving behind a nasty itchy welt, but they also spread diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus and Dengue fever! Mosquitoes love a moist environment so after a storm expect to see them in high numbers and come prepared with bug spray.
Cockroaches: Cockroaches prefer damp climates so after a storm you may see more of them than you may like. If you have an existing issue with cockroaches, post storm, it is likely that you will not be able to ignore it. It is important to be proactive about a cockroach presence in your home because they reproduce rapidly, laying many eggs at once.
Termites: While these creatures don’t bite you or itch, they can mean expensive damage to your home. For subterranean termites a large downpour of water can draw them out which often leads them to retreat into your delicious home finding any opportunity to chew on the wooden supports that hold your house together. The sooner you address this issue, the better as they can easily cause thousands of dollars if not handled properly.
Ants: Ants live underground and so when the rain falls they may rise up and visit your home to dry out. While they are at it, you may find them in your pantry or on your counters advantageously enjoying any snacks you may have left behind. Ants move tin colonies, meaning one ant usually means many.
Before the Storm
The calm before the storm may be teaming with home pest invaders. Amazingly, there are a great deal of insects and small pests that can predict the weather better than most meteorologists. Before a storm, these home invaders will evacuate to higher ground to avoid flooding and storms. Others such as mosquitoes will be in higher numbers outside to enjoy the humidity building up to the thunderstorm. If you start to notice more insects before a storm, it may be time to contact us now to set up an inspection and come up with an action plan.
During the Storm
When rain dumps, it is common for some larger pests to run for cover into your basements, sheds, attics and crawl spaces as their nests and dens become flooded. If you notice places with standing water make a plan to reroute it, especially if it puts the foundation of your home at risk for moisture—a perfect opportunity for moisture loving insects to move in.
After the Storm
Standing water is the mating ground for so many insects and bugs. In fact, a 2-inch-deep puddle after a storm is enough to provide a great spot to start a whole colony of mosquitoes. Fill in any places where you notice puddles forming and create opportunities for puddles to flow out. In addition, for those of us who have pools or fountains, make sure your pumps are regularly serviced and working.
Nuisance Wildlife Services
If you are noticing more pests during thunderstorm season, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We have years of knowledge and experience to address any pest issue you may have and help you to make sure they stay away from your home once and for all.
