Rain is good. Too much rain though and pest activity explodes. July was a very rainy month in New Jersey. In fact, nj.com reported that some towns got a month’s worth of rain in a single day and that was before Tropical Storm Elsa showed up on the scene. So, how does all this summer rain (and humidity) affect insect and rodent activity? Let’s take a look.
Mosquitoes love the rainy weather
Just as blood is essential for mosquito breeding so isn’t water. You see, a female mosquito will lay her eggs on the surface of any standing or stagnant water. After the rainy month we just experienced, you can be sure there were (maybe still are) plenty of places suitable for mosquito breeding on your property and they may not be what you expect. Common mosquito breeding sites around homes include:
- Puddles
- Holes in the yard
- Gutters
- Buckets
- Children’s toys
- Tarps
- Plant pots
- Discarded tire(s)
- Garbage cans & recycling bins
- Bird baths
- Pet water bowls
While the water does dry up either naturally or with a little help from homeowners, it only takes 24 to 48 hours for mosquito eggs to hatch into larvae and within days more full-grown adult mosquitoes will be out and about.
Ants & rodents prefer to take shelter from the rain
There are several types of ants in New Jersey and most of them build their colonies in the topsoil. When significant amounts of precipitation fall from the sky, the risk of flood increases and they may seek out dry higher ground. Unfortunately, that often results in the influx of ants inside homes.
Similarly, rodents will also seek shelter from the rain. Somewhere that is dry and safe. Somewhere like your home for instance. During significant periods of rain, it is very common to see an increase in rodent activity around homes and businesses as mice and rats search for a new place to take up residence in a place that keeps their fur dry and their bellies in close proximity to food sources.
Regrettably these nuisance and potentially destructive pests won’t leave after the rain stops if they’ve found your home has everything they need to survive and thrive.
Roaches, centipedes, cave crickets, carpenter ants LOVE the conditions rain causes
It’s not so much that roaches, centipedes, cave crickets, termites, and carpenter ants as well as other bugs love rain but rather the conditions that come afterwards. Moisture and humidity are must-haves for many types of insects and they thrive in environments that provide those elements. What’s more, pests like termites and carpenter ants, will take advantage of what water and moisture do to wood and use it to their advantage. For termites, that means consuming water damaged wood and for carpenter ants that means tunneling through it to make nests.
Sadly, once they find a way in, many of them will stick around until persuaded otherwise.
How To Protect Your Home Against Pests No Matter The Weather
Of course, there are measures you can take to make your home and property less appealing to pests. Things such as:
- Dumping out water that has collected in items around your yard
- Cleaning your gutters regularly
- Sealing cracks and other entry points on the exterior of your home
- Running dehumidifiers in areas prone to moisture issues
- Keeping the inside of your home spic and span (that means no crumbs on the floor for foraging insects and rodents)
While any effort put forth on preventing pest problems is wise, we also recommend signing up for pest control services that target the pests active in and around your home.
Seasonal Mosquito Treatments
At Arrow Pest Control, we offer seasonal mosquito treatments that are designed to significantly reduce mosquito activity from April through October. Our Bite Back! Program is the ideal solution for this pest problem and also targets ticks! Consisting of seven monthly services and backed by the Arrow Promise, this is the best choice when it comes to keeping mosquitoes and ticks away.
Year-Round Home Pest Control Services
To get rid of insects and rodents that have infested your home and to ensure they don’t return, contact Arrow Pest Control for help! Serving Paramus, Montclair, Old Bridge, and Chatham as well as communities throughout our 10-county service area, our locally owned and family-operated pest control company has been protecting people and property for more than 47 years and are ready to help you! Simply choose the level of coverage that suits your needs and we’ll take care of the rest. Compare plans below or give us a call to schedule your free home evaluation.
