How Hurricanes Affect Pest Activity

As Jacksonville’s leading pest control company, Lindsey Pest Services stays on top of weather data because pest activity is closely tied to weather patterns. Recently, Hurricane Helene caused devastation in other parts of the country, and although Jacksonville was spared a direct hit, we’re still feeling the effects. According to the National Hurricane Center, we may see up to 25 named storms this year, with 8 to 13 becoming hurricanes and 4 to 7 potentially reaching category three or higher. While the paths of these storms remain unpredictable, their impact on pest activity in our area is inevitable. Today, we’ll discuss the unexpected ways hurricanes can stir up pest problems for Floridians.

Common Florida pests that are impacted by the weather

When we think of a tropical storm, two things come to mind: wind and rain. Both can influence pest activity. Here is a list of a few common pests in Greater Jacksonville and along the First Coast. We'll also include a few facts about how extra wind or rain can impact them.

• Termites
  These wood-eating pests benefit from strong winds and rain. Strong winds knock trees over or down limbs. When a tree dies, the wood rests on the soil, quickly becoming food for termites. Water damage to homes is also a termite attractant.
• Rodents
  A tropical storm or hurricane can bring flooding, displacing rats and mice. When driven out of ground burrows and other natural nesting sites, rodents head to higher (and drier) ground. Often, this migration leads indoors. 
• Mosquitoes
  Many mosquito species lay their eggs in stagnant water, the kind of water left behind by a passing storm. After a week and a half, eggs deposited in water can become a swarm of mosquitoes. But mosquito problems don't wait to get started. Post-storm humidity causes existing mosquitoes to become more active as it provides hydration, which impacts mosquitoes' ability to fly.
• Ants
  When heavy rain saturates the ground, water levels in the soil can rise, creating conditions of underground flooding. These can cause ants to evacuate the ground and head into nearby structures.

Pest activity in the coming year

While you're considering hurricane preparedness, take some time to think about pest management for your property. Termites, rodents, and other pests can damage structures. Mice, rats, and mosquitoes can make you sick. With increased storm activity, increased pest activity is likely.

What can you do to get in front of pest problems?

Your first step is to counteract the issues we described earlier directly. Here are a few suggestions:

• Promptly remove wood debris from your yard so it doesn't rot and provide a food source for termites.
• Inspect your foundation and seal potential entry points to prevent rodents from entering.
• Trim branches away from your roof to deter rodents from getting up there.
• Fill in holes around utility entrances to keep rodents out.
• Remove junk piles and yard clutter to deter Norway rats.
• Ensure all your screens are in good working condition to help keep flying insects out.
• Keep lights off in entryways and move trash receptacles away from exterior doors to deter flies from zipping into your home when you open them.
• Keep all trash receptacles covered to deter pests from eating refuse.
• Pick up plant clippings and store them in a covered container.
• Remove objects that collect rainwater from your property.
• Trim vegetation to reduce humidity for mosquitoes.

Steps like these work naturally to deter the pests we mentioned. To discourage pests, do these things before and after storms.

Where does professional pest control fit in?

Life gets busy, and it is easy to let pest control slip your mind. Professional pest control is ongoing and always active pest protection for your property. You don't have to think about it.

A pest control service plan is applied by licensed and experienced pest management pros. You'll always get appropriate pest treatments that give you the desired results.

Here at Lindsey Pest Services, we offer home pest control service plans that allow you to choose the level of protection that suits your needs and budget. Check out our residential plans and pricing below, or call us to learn how our team can help you avoid insect and rodent infestations all year!