5 Reasons Summer is the Season for Pests

Each year, we wait for the summers to come so that we can hit our favorite beaches and frolic in the sun. Unfortunately, some of the horrendous pests that wreak havoc in our homes love summers as much as we do.

I recently had a chat with the team at Guard Pest Control to learn about why pests are so active during the warmer months.

Here are a few facts that homeowners must know.

During summer months, cockroaches seek shelter in dark and dingy corners of our homes to escape the extreme temperatures.
Similarly, termites go underground during the winter season and reemerge as soon as the summers arrive.
Mosquitoes breed in standing waters and, thus, multiply significantly during the summer months.
Ants, spiders, bees, hornets, and wasps are some of the other pests that love summers.

What is it about the summer season that makes pests supremely active? There are several reasons why summer is the season for pets. Here we discuss the five top reasons.

Here are the top five factors that work in favor of pests during summers.

1. Summer Brings with Itself High Humidity

All pests need water to survive, and thus, high humidity always works in favor of pests. This fact was proven by a 2013-study that studied the effect of temperature and moisture on the development of insects. The study concluded that pests and insects multiply at a much higher rate when the humidity is high.

During summers, the moisture in the air increases, in turn, leading to high humidity. This creates favorable conditions for the pests to multiply and grow. This is also the reason why pests seek shelter in the damp areas of homes during a dry spell. To learn more about pests in the hot Queensland climate you can download this fact sheet from the Brisbane City Council.

2. Pests Have Low Tolerance for High Temperatures

Most pests have a low tolerance for extreme temperatures. Thus, when it gets excessively hot, pests either go underground or seek shelter in cold and damp areas of a home to get some relief from the heat. Thus, the high temperatures witnessed during the summer months encourage pests to seek shelter in our homes.

3. Sunlight Provides an Added Advantage

A 2014-study revealed that almost all pest species react positively to light and feed during the day (read more here). During summers the days are long, and thus, pests get more hours of sunlight and feed for longer durations. Therefore, they become increasingly visible during the summer months.

4. There Is Abundant Supply of Food Sources

During the summer months, nature is in its full bloom. While this factor makes everything around you look extra beautiful, it also positively acts in favor of pests you are desperately trying to get rid of. During summers, both grass, as well as vegetation, grows abundantly. This leads to an uninterrupted supply of food for pests, and thus, the population of pests increases considerably during the summer months.

5. Cold-Blooded Pest Species Reproduce During the Summer Months

The summer is an especially good time for cold-blooded pest species that witness enhanced activity during summer months. These species reproduce at a much faster rate during summers than during any other month. This is yet another critical reason why summer is the season for pests and why you should be extra careful during the summer months.

What Can You Do?

While there isn’t much you can do about how the summer season affects pest growth; homeowners can take specific preventive measures to keep their homes pest-free. Before the summer season starts, do the following to keep those horrendous pests away.

Dirt and standing water create the perfect breeding ground for all pests. Thus, make sure you have cleaned all gutters before the summer season starts (read more about the dangers associated with water stagnation.
Pests make their home in cracks and crevices present in walls and floors. Thus, before the beginning of the summer season, use a weather-resistant sealant to seal all cracks and crevices. Also, do weather stripping around windows. This will keep pests from entering your home.
In case the dumpsters around your house are full, hire a waste management expert to clean and change dumpsters regularly. Dumpster rotation helps keeps pests away during the summer months.
Trim the grass and any branches that may create a safe habitat for pests.
Hire a pest control service to take a look at your home and make recommendations and suggestions regarding what you can do to keep pests away during the summer months

We hope these tips help you prepare for the increase in pest activity during summer.

If you have any questions please comment below, thank you.