Summer brings abundant sunshine, family vacations, and long, lazy days. It also brings more insect pests. Scientists have predicted that insects will be more abundant and more active in California this summer.
There are multiple reasons why pest populations – including mosquitoes, flies, ants, stinging insects, spiders, and mice – are more populous and visible in and around homes.
The first is a scientific fact that an insect’s metabolic rate increases in warm weather, thus requiring them to eat more. The strong survival instinct innate in all pests will lead them to aggressively seek new sources of food, water, and a cool place to live during periods of extremely hot weather.
Warmer temperatures also expand the habitats that allow pest populations to flourish, increase survival rates, and provide more time to reproduce, thus introducing more pests into the environment.
Warm weather and pests
What is the impact of warm weather on insects and other pests, and what can you do about it? Let Clark, your friendly pest control, mosquito, lawn care, and termite expert, break it down for you.
Earlier pest breeding
Temperature affects when the breeding season for many insects begins. If warm weather arrives early, so will insect breeding. This can have consequences on pest population levels for the rest of the season, including faster insect lifecycles and less time between generations. Unfortunately, an earlier start on breeding doesn’t equate to a quicker end to the pest season.
Insect populations increase
Because insects are cold-blooded, they do well in the hot, humid summer weather found across California. This results in a visible increase in the number of pests, such as mosquitoes, ants, flies, crickets, and other insects, seen in and around residences. Even extreme heat will not deter insect activity.
Dry weather moves pests inside
Insects need water to survive. However, too little rain also affects insect behavior. California’s extremely dry weather pushes many insects, including ants and certain species of crickets, indoors in search of water.
Nighttime is pest time
You might notice more pest activity at night than during the day when temperatures are hot. Look for insects and animals at night when the heat cools down enough for pests to be more active. Pests will adjust their activity levels according to the temperature. If you don’t think you have pests, look around when the sun goes down. The activity you see might surprise you – and not in a good way.
Too hot for mice
Mice are more active more during the summer than during the rest of the year. Like humans, mice also will do what everyone else does during a scorching hot summer day: find a cool place to avoid the heat.
Have questions about pests? Call Clark
If you are seeing increased pest activity around your home or yard, call or text (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. We are ready to help solve your summer pest issues.
Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.