Preparing Your Home For Fall Weather
How Temperature Affects Insects
The recent rainfalls have been more than beneficial. As we sit inside watching the rain and enjoying the slight temperature drop, so are pest. Temperature changes and increased rainfall can lead to unwanted pests in your home.
Temperature Changes
Insects are cold-blooded creatures that can’t produce their own body heat. This means the temperature of their surroundings plays an important role in their growth, development, and behavior. Find out how temperature affects insects and why temperature fluctuations can lead to indoor bug infestations.
Heavy Rain
Moisture loving bugs such as mosquitoes, cockroaches, stink bugs and termites thrive in wet conditions. Mosquitoes will lay their eggs in stagnant rain water, after a heavy rainfall it is probable that mosquito populations will increase. Spiders, ants, and cockroaches will invade homes looking for shelter during heavy rainfalls. Flood conditions can force some bugs, including ants and wasps, out of their nests in to the ground. When this occurs, ant colonies will seek the shelter of homes looking for food and dry ground.
How to Prevent Infestations
- Prepare by inspecting for entry points
- Seal cracks and holes
- Remove trash and debris
- Clean up crumbs and spills
- Clear sink and tub drains
- Organize clutter
- Call City Pest
It is important to make sure your home has no holes, crevices or cracks that could let ants and other tiny pests get in when it rains. A careful inspection of your house’s exterior walls and seal any openings will ensure bugs can not find them. Spend some time clearing clutter around your house, too. Debris and litter can accumulate in your garden or yard and give pests more places to hide. You want to keep bugs (and rodents) far away from your home. Inside, work on forming a habit of cleaning up after each meal so bugs won’t find any spills, crumbs or dirty dishes to feed on. Wipe counters and vacuum floors as often as possible and keep stored foods sealed in airtight containers. Occasionally cleaning drains (especially the kitchen sink, where food waste can build up) is a good way to avoid attracting roaches after it rains. And by organizing general clutter in your storage rooms, attic and basement, you can reduce the number of hiding and nesting places for pests.
Watch for Rat Snakes in Your Garage
Walking up on a snake can be frightening for anyone. While not all snakes are venomous or even dangerous to humans, we have all heard the saying “they are more scared of you”, it is still scary to move a box in your garage and be greeted by a coiled, slithery friend. Be on the look out for rat snakes, which are known to be the little uninvited friend hanging out behind your golf clubs.
Types of Wasps in Texas
What Are Wasps?
Wasps are not bees or ants but can be categorized anywhere from Hornets or Yellowjackets. Like bees, they help pollinate our plants and are very important to our ecosystem. There are many different types of wasps that can be found here in Texas. Continue reading Types of Wasps in Texas
Checking for Bed Bugs in Your Hotel
How to Be Safe
Summer is here and everyone is traveling for their summer vacation. Staying in a hotel during your vacation can be exciting and fun, but there are precautions to keep you and your family safe this summer while vacationing.
What Do Termites Look Like? Termites in Texas
What are Termites?
If you live in areas where termite infestations are common, it’s important to inspect your home (or have it inspected by a professional) regularly for possible infestation. Catching termites early can save you costly home repairs. Termites are considered to be one of the most destructive pests in the world. Termites are insects, which mostly feed on dead plant matter like woodchip, decayed wood (logs), leaf litter and soil. They are sometimes called “white ants” but they are only distantly related to ants. This article will go over the most common types of termites in Texas.
Continue reading What Do Termites Look Like? Termites in Texas
Rats, Gophers and Moles
What Are They?
Rats, Gophers and Moles can be found in Texas. Ranging from North Texas all the way down towards Mexico. These small animals are easy to spot.
Raccoons and Squirrels Invading Your Home
It’s hard to say which animal is more of a hazard than the other when comparing squirrels and raccoons. Some have even gone so far as to imply they’re working together! In any event, if you’ve ever had to deal with either of these pests, you know how troublesome they can be. Continue reading Raccoons and Squirrels Invading Your Home
Mosquitoes in Bryan/College Station, TX and West Nile Virus
Continue reading Mosquitoes in Bryan/College Station, TX and West Nile Virus
