Oct 22, 2021, 14:05 PM by Fred Speer

We all know weather forecasts are subject to change. If you were planning on a sunny day for an outdoor activity and rain arrives, you can always reschedule. But when forecasting whether pests will threaten your home this fall and winter, you want a little more certainty.

Clark, your friendly pest control, termite, and grounds expert, is committed to keeping pests from accessing your home and threatening your family, your food, or the structural integrity of your biggest investment.

The pest forecast

The National Pest Management Association has released its biannual Bug Barometer® forecast, a seasonal projection of the pest pressure and activity that Americans can expect to see in their respective regions of the country. Its predictions are based on weather patterns, long-term forecasts, and pest biological behaviors.

According to the group’s team of entomologists, a mild and wet summer season will spur increased pest activity throughout much of the U.S., as forecasts show looming predictions for a colder winter.

“As much as we all enjoy spending time outdoors and soaking in the summer weather,” says Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., chief entomologist for the NPMA, “prolonged periods of warm temperatures throughout the U.S. will heighten pest pressure this fall, allowing stinging insects as well as disease-transmitting pests like ticks and mosquitoes to overstay their welcome in certain regions of the U.S.”

Once temperatures begin to drop, you should remain vigilant for signs of unwanted invaders. Prioritize the necessary prevention measures to keep pests out of your home.

“Much like their human counterparts, rodents and overwintering pests – including boxelder bugs and cluster flies – will scurry indoors to escape the elements forecasted for the upcoming winter season,” Fredericks says. “While small, rodents can spread 35 diseases to humans, and are capable of chewing through wood and electrical wires, increasing the risk of electrical fires. As such, it is crucial to work with a licensed pest control professional at the very first sign of an infestation before it gets out of hand.”

The California outlook:

• Late-season rainfall may allow ants to thrive, prolonging their presence this fall, and increasing their activity level in and around your home.
• Cooler fall and winter temperatures can drive rodents indoors in search of food, water, and shelter.
• If cooler temperatures are delayed, stinging insect activity could remain high into early fall.
• Warm, wet conditions this summer could allow mosquito and tick populations to thrive into the fall months.

If you suspect your home is being threatened by pests this fall, call Clark, California’s trusted pest control expert, at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. 

Clark Pest Control is committed to safeguarding your home from pests during these challenging times. Our service technicians use such personal protective equipment as gloves, masks, and respirators, they practice social distancing, they call ahead to notify before a service, and they adhere strictly to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when servicing inside or outside your home.

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.