As the weather gets colder and colder the deeper we head into winter, you may be wondering how the changes in weather affect pests. What temperatures hinder them, and what temperatures help them. What about rain, drought, or snow? Together, we will give a brief explanation of how changing weather patterns will affect the pests in your area!
Cold Weather
There is a reason you see fewer insects during the winter because they are hiding or dead. Insects are cold-blooded; they can only withstand a particular drop in temperature before the cold gets too be too much. The killing temperature depends on the insect’s size and genetic design, but hardly any of them like when it drops below 40°. Due to this, insects need to find shelter when the temperature falls. That shelter could be your home, underground, in the surrounding environment, or other warm places. The insects will then hibernate or hide out in there until spring rolls around.
Beware that some rodents aren’t fans of hibernating in the cold all winter long; they may come looking for food and shelter at your house. You want to make sure to plug up any access points before it gets cold, or you may have some uninvited guests!
Hot Weather
Hot weather has the opposite effect on your pest population! Mild and hot weather starts off mating season and leads to a rise in the pest population. In addition, the warmer weather activates a higher metabolic rate, leaving you with a bunch of hungry critters. This could mean that those critters will try to invade your home or garden for a yummy snack!
Rain
Rain affects the environments and homes of various pests; therefore, you will likely see an influx of pests after it has rained. The rain tends to flood the homes of ants, so it is common to see an army of ants marching past in search of dry ground. Hopefully, they don’t find out that your home is dry ground!
Drought
Insects respond to drought in different ways, depending on the species. For instance, grasshoppers multiple at an extreme rate as the temperature rises, leading to the destruction of the environment and crops to fill their bellies. Mosquitos, on the other hand, need water to reproduce. Therefore, no water, no way to breed!
Besides, humans aren’t the only ones who get thirty when there is no water. Drought may cause animals to come sniffing in and around your home in search of water.
Call Us Today!
Are you seeing an influx of critters invading your home, and you just can’t get them to stop? Professional help and tools are often needed to clear out a pest problem completely, and we are here to help! Give us a call today for a consultation, and we begin your journey to a pest-free home.