With the heavy Texas heat we are experiencing, especially in Austin, San Marcos, Temple, and Houston, we have finally had a nice amount of rain. But this extra amount of water carries with it some complications. Not only does it damage homes and spread dangerous bacteria, but it also causes a sudden influx in the insect population. Some of the most common insects and pests that quickly appear after storms and floods are fire ants, mosquitoes, camel crickets, cockroaches, and rodents (rats and mice).
Cockroaches
Humid, wet conditions draw in cockroaches to homes in large groves, which is what makes them one of the most hated species of insects in the world. One of the largest types of cockroaches specifically thrives in flood-damaged areas, and that is the American cockroach. It can reach up to 2 inches in length, and it has fully functioning wings. This type of cockroach breeds very fast, which makes it difficult to control.
Are roaches creeping you out?
Our pest control experts will make sure your home is free of roaches.
Rodents
During heavy rains, rodents may be flooded out of their dwellings and seek higher grounds and new shelter. Unfortunately, this can mean your home.
Homes that are pier and beam, have lots of pipe penetrations, and overhanging tree branches can be an easy target for a rat or mouse's new shelter.
Be sure to seal any entry points rodents may use. Keep a clean kitchen. If your home faces a rodent issue, a combination of rodent trapping, bait boxes, and rodent exclusion would likely be needed.
Are rodents keeping you up?
Our pest control experts will make sure your home is free of rodents.
Fire Ants
The small size of the fire ant might cause one to think that they could never survive the harsh environmental conditions of a flood. They are incredibly intelligent and resourceful creatures though. By joining together in a fast formation, the tiny insects create a living raft. The queen and her larvae are put in the center to protect them. This raft can stay afloat for up to two weeks until dry land is found. From there, they can overtake yards and homes.
Are fire ants ruining your backyard?
Our pest control experts will make sure your home is free of fire ants.
Mosquitoes
Large bodies of water always attract disease-carrying mosquitoes, especially if there are areas that have stale water supplies, which they prefer for reproduction. Mosquito larvae take only a couple of weeks to become adults, and the females can lay up to 100 eggs at a time. These two factors alone can make their populations quickly get out of control.
After the rain, there are some easy ways you can help prevent mosquitoes.
Tired of mosquito bites?
Our pest control experts will make sure you're not swarmed once you step outside.
Camel Crickets
These highly invasive and aggressive insects love to feed on rotting wood that is common after flood damage. Once they invade a home or barn, they are difficult to get rid of. If a person tries to move away from the home, they often end up bringing the camel crickets along with them because they hide so easily in carpets and furniture.
Preventing crickets is tricky business. Here's some advice on how crickets get into your house.
Black Field Crickets
Cricket outbreaks are a yearly event here in Texas. Black cricket populations typically explode September/October. And spikes in rain can exacerbate their populations.
Crickets can be an especially disgusting nuisance as they tend to swarm around buildings, often engulfing sides of homes and businesses.
Their annoying chirp can be a constant and uncontrollable distraction for office workers and people working from home.
Preventative treatments can help keep crickets at bay during their swarm season.
Are crickets keeping you up?
Our pest control experts will make sure your home is free of crickets.