Pests During Summer: Why They’re Always Around
Have you ever thought about why you love summer so much? Perhaps it’s because of the summer storms or the fact that it stays daylight for longer. Or maybe it’s because you don’t have school, there’s more free time to play, and it’s the best opportunity for family vacations.
Much like us, pests love the summer, too! But not for the same reasons. Here are the top five reasons why pests thrive during the summer months.
#1: Temperature
The summer heat brings out a unique behavior among pests. Of course, they have their limits of when it’s just too hot to handle, but they’re instinctive and often know how to manage. For instance, when it gets too hot for ants, they bury themselves deep in the ground and other pests seek shelter indoors. Heat causes bugs to frequently move around, especially in places that are air-conditioned—joining the rest of us much to our dismay.
#2: Moisture
Water is quintessential for all beings’ survival. Pests thrive in highly moist areas; that’s why summer is a prime time for them to be more active. With all the summer showers and high humidity levels, pests favor this muggy climate. On the other hand, during periods of drought, pests move indoors and seek damp areas to call home.
#3: Food Sources
Most vegetation, including grass, grows more abundantly during the summer months. It loves the warm outside temperatures and the warm soil. Because of vegetation growth, pests have an all-you-can-eat meal in front of them 24/7. With their constant hunger, pests flock to these areas and will continue to populate until the food source is depleted and gone.
#4: Life Cycle
The life cycle of pests and insects is typically pretty short—some pests have a life cycle as short as 90 days! Additionally, pests are exothermic (cold-blooded), which means they increase in activity during the summer when it’s warm and sunny outside. Take ants, for example. Their colony significantly increases in size so they have enough bodies to populate their colony during the colder, dormant months. The life cycle of most pests is short, which often causes them to thrive in the warm while they can.
#5: Daylight
Have you ever noticed that it gets lighter during the summer and darker during the winter? Pests are attracted to light! That’s why when it’s bright for 12 to 14 hours in a day, pests have more time to be outdoors, soak up the sun, and feed on the environment around them. Similar to how we, as humans, enjoy the outdoors, pests do, too!
Ways to Handle Pests During Summer
Of course, more pests mean a higher chance of getting bug bites and painful itchy spots on your body, as well as plenty of indoor intruders. If you follow these prevention tips, it’s less likely you’ll be pestered by them.
- Clean your gutters.
- Trim your yard’s vegetation (especially away from your home).
- Inspect your home for cracks in the walls and floors.
- Take your trash out.
- Spray for mosquitoes.
- Schedule a service appointment with us at Vulcan Termite & Pest Control.
Contact Us!
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about your home’s pest problems, contact us. We’re just a phone call away to schedule an appointment and/or save your property from further damage. Visit our website for more information.