Feeling the Heat: How Last Year's High Temperatures Affect Pests This Year
Everyone loves a nice, warm summer after a long winter. The sun draws people out of their homes and encourages spending more time outside with friends and family. Much like we are magnets to sunny, warm weather, so are pests.
In 2023, we saw the fifth hottest year on record. That means that pests remained active, and their breeding season was longer than average. The pests threw a heatwave party, and this year, our homes may be the unfortunate host of some of those parties. The best thing you can do to prevent this takeover is to ensure you are up-to-date on your pest control services.
Hot Times, Busy Bugs: Why the Heat Means More Pests
Pest lifecycles and behaviors are largely dependent on weather conditions. Most pests are cold-blooded, so pests are more active in the summer than at any other time of year.
The warmer weather that we experienced last year means faster breeding cycles. Heat speeds up the process, allowing pests to reproduce faster than usual. Because they thrive off of the warmth, they have an increased activity level and metabolism that can lead to high levels of destruction where your home is concerned.
Party Invites You Didn't Send
So, who can you be expecting to show up at your front door this summer? Here are a few of the most common (and most annoying) pests that come out during the summer:
Ants
Mosquitoes
Rodents
Flies
Wasps
DID YOU KNOW? Pests adapt quickly to heat. While sweltering weather makes us want to run inside and hide in the comfort of our AC units, pests can survive high temperatures and can even become more active when the weather spikes.
Pre-Heat Your Pest Defense
Seal the Deal- A great way to get your home prepared for the pests that lie ahead is to ensure that your home is sealed off properly. Inspect windows and screens for any snags and tears, repair cracks, and use things like door sweeps to keep critters outside.
The Great Outdoors Minus the Guests- Yard maintenance is a great way to keep pests at bay. Simple tasks like trimming vegetation, getting rid of standing water, and even swapping your mulch for gravel can help you deter pests from invading your yard.
Natural Knights- Another great way to keep harmful pests at bay is by introducing beneficial ones. It may sound counterintuitive, but bringing natural predators into the mix can help your yard flourish. Ladybugs and praying mantises can help you mitigate some of the insect problems you may be facing without having to get your hands dirty.
Eco-Friendly Arsenal: Greenix's Guide to Beating the Heatwave Horde
While simple, at-home methods are amazing and can go a long way, nothing beats professional pest control services when it comes to treating or preventing pests. At Greenix, we service over 50 different types of pests with our environmentally-conscious methods.
We believe that taking preventative measures is the best defense against pests, and it helps to minimize the amount of chemicals used around your home. When you get ahead of the problem, you come out on top!
When the Heat is On, Greenix Keeps You Cool
As the summer gets closer, getting tailored pest control services is what will keep your home protected from the onslaught of pests. Our services are customized to address the activity spikes that happen following record-high temperatures. We want to make sure you're not just surviving, but thriving! Kick the summertime invaders to the curb when you schedule your next pest control service.
