When most people think of thunderstorms, they think of flooding, downed trees, and power outages. After excessive rain, insects and pests are more likely to enter the home, adding another complication for homeowners to worry about. The most common pests that infiltrate homes after heavy rain include:
Cockroaches
Cockroaches normally live outdoors, often in sewer systems. When heavy rains flood the sewers, cockroaches head to higher ground to escape. They then look for dark, warm areas to hide. Inside the home, kitchens and bathrooms are common places where cockroaches camp out, as they not only have access to shelter, but also to water. Sealing cracks in the foundation, keeping a clean house can help to prevent cockroaches from invading your home.
Rodents
With their high winds and soaking rains, thunderstorms often damage rodents’ natural homes, causing them to seek shelter indoors. Trim back trees so they don’t become a pathway into your home. Damage to the exterior of the home, like holes in the siding or roof allow rodents easy access to your house. As such, it’s important to clean up and make necessary repairs quickly after a storm.
Crickets
While crickets may be the least offensive of bugs and pests, their chirping can drive you nuts! Like other insects, crickets seek shelter inside of the home during rainstorms. They are particularly attracted to stacks of wood, bricks, or stones, rotting leaves, and piles of mulch, so do what you can to move these items away from your house before a thunderstorm.
Mosquitos
To hide from the rain, mosquitos gather under overhangs, in patios, and under decks. After a rainstorm, puddles and other standing water are mosquito magnets. Mosquitos lay their eggs in water, which means that after a storm the mosquito population can dramatically increase. To prevent mosquito infestation in your yard, be sure to eliminate all standing water left after it rains.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants love to nest in wet wood, which makes them a common problem after a storm. Attics, crawlspaces, roofs, and basements are prime areas where carpenter ants will hide inside of a house. Keep carpenter ants out of your home by repairing holes and other damage after a storm.
The professionals at Home Pro Pest Control work with residents all throughout the Virginia Beach area to create custom plans to prevent pest problems, including those that occur after a thunderstorm. To learn more about our offerings, contact us online or call us at (757) 499-1078.