Summer Is The Season For Pests

Although insects and rodents are active all year in our area, their activity noticeably increases during the hottest part of the year. You may have noticed more pests in your home during the summer months and wondered why. In today's blog, we will look at some of the common pests homeowners in Jacksonville and throughout the First Coast deal with, identify why pest activity increases, and how you can stop them from bugging you this summer.

Why are Florida cockroaches more trouble in summer?  

Another year-round resident of homes and businesses in Florida, cockroaches become more prevalent during the summer season for several reasons. 

• Our warm, humid climate is perfect for growth and reproduction. In fact, summer is the peak breeding season for many types of cockroaches. 
• Cockroaches need moisture to survive and so our high humidity levels fit the bill. 
• They are ectothermic insects which means their activity levels are influenced by external temperatures. Hot summer nights are the perfect backdrop to their nocturnal foraging. 
• The frequent rain showers and thunderstorms drive cockroaches indoors to find suitable shelter. 

Water bugs, Palmetto bugs, whatever you want to call these roaches are already pestering homeowners and business owners this year and summer hasn’t even officially arrived. In fact, lately, our office has been receiving a higher-than-normal number of calls about German cockroaches. 

Now that we’ve examined roaches let's switch gears and talk about an almost exclusively indoor pest: the dreaded bed bug.

Why are bed bugs more of a problem in the summer?

While it’s true bed bugs are a year-round pest problem, it’s also accurate to say that these biting pests become more of a problem in the summer. So, what’s up with that? In a word, vacation. Experts in both the pest control and hospitality industries recognize travel as the most common source of bed bug infestations. 

Of course, traveling for vacation (or business) isn’t the only reason for the increased risk of bed bug problems. Warmer weather can accelerate their lifecycle, causing bed bug populations to explode once summer hits.

Finally, during the summer months, there are more social gatherings, which means more people in one area and more chances for these bugs to spread.

Let's head outside and look at a pest that typically stays outdoors: the pesky mosquito.

Why are there so many mosquitoes in the summer?

We usually experience increased rainfall from May to October. While rain is beneficial, it also leads to a greater mosquito population during the summer. The abundant rainfall during this wet season provides an optimal environment for mosquitoes to thrive and reproduce. 

You may not realize it, but female mosquitoes require two things to successfully reproduce: protein and standing water. Mosquito bites and the resulting blood meal provide the former, while rain delivers the latter. And really, they don’t need much water. In fact, a thimbleful will suffice. Common mosquito breeding sites include rainwater collected in planters, kids’ water tables, and holes in the ground. 

Now that we've established how water helps to maximize mosquito populations throughout the summer, let's turn our attention to another pest: ants.

Ants are especially active in the summertime

As we pointed out above, insects are a year-round issue in our region. In fact, it’s quite common to find ants in the kitchen, laundry room, and other areas any time of the year, but ant problems ramp up during the summer months. 

Contributing factors to increased ant troubles include: 

• Hot weather may cause ants to seek refuge indoors where temperatures are more reasonable. 
• Periods of heavy rain can send ants indoors as ground saturation can flood their nests.
• Drought can send ants inside in search of moisture. 
• Excessive crowding in a nest, particularly during breeding season, can lead to increased ant activity.
• Food and water are also a strong attractant for ants this time of year. 

How do you keep summer pests out?

That’s a great question, and the answer is to call Lindsey Pest Services today! Our woman-owned, local pest control company has been helping property owners and managers eradicate and prevent pests for over 60 years, and we’re ready to help you. Our pest control specialists provide thorough inspections and effective pest treatments that address existing infestations and prevent insects and rodents from getting in, no matter the season. 

When summer ramps up, pest problems don't have to ramp up with them. Contact us today to sign up for one of our home pest control plans or to learn more about our mosquito control and bed bug treatments; you have nothing to lose but the pests!