Summertime Pest
When most people think about pest control, they probably imagine a man in a hazmat suit spraying various chemicals around homes and gardens. This is partially due to the fact that some companies focus the majority of their treatment process on pesticide application.
But the truth is, pesticide application is not the only element in an effective pest control plan. Pest problems do not just appear randomly, and in most cases, there are a set of environmental factors that are contributing to the pest problems around your home. Identifying and mitigating these factors is sometimes more important than actual treatment when attempting to eradicate pests from your home.
During the summertime, one of the most important factors influencing pest activity is the temperature. Not only does the warmer weather allow pests to be more active, it may even drive them into your home.
But how does this work? What does temperature have to do with pest activity?
Here in Georgia, the summertime climate can best be described as “hot and sticky” with high humidity levels and temperatures. It is also common to see an uptick in pest activity of all kinds during this season. Mosquitoes, ants, termites, and other pests turn out in droves in and around your home. Many of these pests are either dormant or killed off during the winter season and return with force once the weather warms up. The warmer weather also tends to increase the availability of food, allowing these pests to thrive.
Since seeing more pests around your property is common during the summer, it can be more difficult to determine if the activities of nuisance pests such as flies represent a threat of infestation. This can often lead to pest problems being ignored and allowed to grow unchecked.
To further complicate matters, Georgia summers are often broken up with alternating periods of drought and heavy rain, and both of these situations can increase pest activity in and around your home.
When the weather is extremely dry, many of the natural moisture sources that insect and wildlife pests require become unavailable. This can force them out of their natural habitats, and they must then explore for a new place to call home. This can sometimes lead them to your home, where the cool, air-conditioned environment can confuse pests into thinking the cooler temperature is a sign of nearby water. Once inside the home, many pests find ample moisture and food resources, which can allow them to establish themselves in your home.
Heavy rainfall can cause problems as well. Pests, especially those that are ground-nesters, can have their homes flooded by rain. In the process of seeking shelter from the rain, they may find their way into your home. In such instances, the warm, dry environment it provides may be too appealing for them to resist.
In either instance, pests that make their way inside your home can be difficult to remove. Since they are inhabiting a temperature controlled environment, they will not be wiped out by cold temperatures in the fall and winter. Due to this, some homes may have infestations of pests that otherwise should be dormant for the season. Since homeowners do not expect pests such as ants or termites to survive the summer, they may miss the signs of their activity. This can allow an infestation to hide away for the season, damaging your home and becoming more difficult to eradicate.
What homeowners should take away from this is the importance of understanding how environmental factors can impact pest behavior. The fact is, treating a home with pesticide without resolving the conducive conditions that allowed the infestation in the first place is like putting a band-aid on the problem. You may get rid of the pests for a season, but new pests will probably take advantage of the same vulnerabilities in the future.
To deal with both current AND future pest problems, your best option is to call in a reliable pest control service to inspect your home to identify both signs of pest activity as well as any environmental factors that may be increasing your risk of pest problems. This comprehensive approach allows for more effective, efficient, and longterm pest solutions.
Summertime pests can be a threat, but with a reliable pest control expert on call, you have nothing to worry about! At Canton Termite and Pest Control, we pride ourselves on providing hassle-free, quick, and easy pest control. We have decades of experience dealing with pests of all kinds! We employ industry-leading treatment techniques that are all backed by 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can rely on us for pest control without any risk or stress!
So get ahead of pest threats this summer, call us today at 770-479-1598!
By: Tim
