Heavy rain storms can do more than just flood your garden, it can also drive pests straight into your home.
As underground nests fill with water and outdoor hiding places disappear, insects and rodents seek dry, protected places. Unfortunately, those havens are often your walls, basement or kitchen.
“Rain creates two problems: displacement and opportunity,” says Ed Dolschun, vice president and technical director of CatchMaster, a pest control brand used by professionals for more than 70 years and sold at retailers nationwide. Rain forces some insects to seek dry ground; Others depend on the fallout from the rains for food, reproduction, and even shelter.
Your home is not unsafe: There are several strategies you can use to keep pests out of your home after a storm. Here’s what pest experts tell you about the most common pests that arrive after the rain, and how to stop them in their tracks.
Pests are most likely to appear after rain
Pests like ants and rodents are easily displaced during a storm and head into your home in search of a dry, warm place. Other insects, such as mosquitoes and flies, thrive on what rain leaves behind: standing water, wet debris, and wet trash.
Ants – appear within a few hours
As soon as the rain ends, ants are the first to appear. You can see them only a few hours after the sun rises. “Ants are usually one of the first insects people notice after heavy rains,” says Dolschun. “Their colonies can become rapidly flooded, and workers often start looking for dry ground indoors.”
Small ant infestations can be controlled with simple DIY options like store-bought baits or sprays, but persistent problems may require professional pest control.
Rodents – come and stop within a few hours
Heavy rain can cause flooding, and even minor rainfall pushes rodents out of their hiding places and into your home, especially your basement, crawl spaces, walls, and garage.
A single mouse coming in from the rain is no cause for concern and can be taken care of with the help of mousetraps from your local hardware store. The real problem arises when rats and mice make your house their permanent residence.
If rodents become a persistent problem, your best option is to call a pest control company to get rid of them and prevent them from coming back.
Mosquitoes – appear a few weeks after the rains
Mosquitoes are not immediate invaders after rain, but are a late threat.
“Mosquitoes are different; they may not come in right away, but rain leaves water behind, and that can turn into a mosquito problem within a week or two because they lay as many eggs as possible in that accumulation of water,” says Dolschun.
To get rid of mosquitoes, remove standing water anywhere outside, including buckets and kiddie pools. Even these efforts will not be able to destroy the herd. “Anything that collects water can easily become a mosquito problem,” says Dolschun. “Clean up wet litter, leaves and debris quickly and keep food sealed indoors.”
You can also install mosquito repellents around your patio to keep them away. However, it may require a professional pest control company to eliminate them for good.
Flies – appear a few days after rain
“Flies can also proliferate after a storm if wet garbage, debris or organic matter is left lying around,” says Dolschun. Like mosquitoes, these insects may not be immediate, but they may appear in swarms.
Excessive rainfall can wet open bins and soak any outdoor debris to the point of rotting. Flies are attracted to anything decaying, so cleaning up your yard and closing trash cans can go a long way. If you have flies in your home, DIY options are abundant and affordable.
Why do insects spread inside the house due to rain?
Rain drives insects indoors for two main reasons: displacement and opportunity.
Heavy rains can cause flooding, and even minor flooding can destroy outdoor habitats, such as ant hills and rodent burrows. When water comes in, these insects come out and look for a new home.
On the other hand, rain creates ideal conditions for certain types of insects, such as mosquitoes, to flourish. Damp foundations, clogged drains, soggy mulch and standing water act like lighthouses welcoming unwanted pests into your home.
How to Keep Pests Away Before and After a Hurricane
Your best protection is to avoid pests during rainy season. “The best time to act is before a storm,” says Dolschun. “Check for gaps around doors, windows, utility lines, and foundations, as these are the same openings that pests use when they are pushed out of their outdoor hiding places.”
- Seal entry points to prevent pests like rats from getting in.
- Remove standing water so mosquitoes cannot breed
- Clean up debris immediately before pests have time to get in.
- Store food properly so that flies and ants are not attracted inside.
- Monitor early activity so you can catch pests before they become a big problem
Homes are most at risk after wet weather
Moisture is the main driver, and older homes with poor drainage are particularly vulnerable. “If water accumulates near the foundation, pests are drawn directly to that part of the house where entry points are most common,” says Dolschun. “The more water that accumulates around the house, the more pests we have to deal with.”
Some things make homes more attractive to pests, including:
- Poor drainage near the foundation
- old house
- damp crawl space
- clogged drains
- wood to soil contact
- Landscaping hazards (e.g. wet mulch)
- Firewood stored near your home
- damp siding
How long does insect activity last after rain
The extent and length of insect activity depends on the insect, but it can last from a few hours to several weeks, especially if rains come and go over the course of a few days or weeks.
However, just because the rain is over doesn’t mean the insects will stop. The rain itself is the catalyst; Insect activity may continue even when the weather is dry. “The problem starts with rain, but activities usually continue until conditions improve,” says Dolschun. “Waiting for this is not a good strategy.”
Amazing insects that appear after heavy rains
The usual suspects aren’t the only attackers; Other pests (some even more destructive) may also make unwanted appearances.
“Millipedes are one of the most common invaders after rain,” says Dolschun. “They live in moist soil and leaf litter, and when those areas become saturated, they can migrate indoors in large numbers.” You may also see springtails (a bug that resembles a flea), earwigs, and worse, termites.
“Termites are something homeowners should take most seriously,” says Dolshun. “Heavy rain can increase termite activity and trigger their swarming. Any winged termites or discarded wings near windows and doors after wet weather should not be ignored.”
If you see any signs of termites, call an exterminator immediately.
When to take pest activity seriously
Try DIY pest control tips first, but if they don’t work or you notice signs of a more serious infestation, it’s time to bring in the professionals. If any of the following is true, you should consult your local pest control provider:
- repeated appearance inside the house
- Structural risks (termites, rodents)
- persistent moisture problem
Reporting by Alora Bopre, USA TODAY/USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.