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7 Reasons Why Summer Is Pest Season
Summer is the most anticipated season. Everyone can’t wait to take part in outdoor activities. Planning to take a family vacation, joining a sporting event, or heading to the beach; summer times is the best time. While the warm season may be fun, it also brings about uninvited guests like pests. During this period, you’ll notice an increase in pests around your property. Wondering why pests are more common and active during summer? Below are a few reasons why;
1. Warm Temperatures
Some pests hibernate during cold seasons because the air is humid. During winter, food is scarce which means most pests can’t survive. That’s why you hardly see any. Pests can be affected by temperature fluctuations in spring and summer. For example, fire ants dig deep into the ground when temperatures are very harsh. Other pests invade your home. When summer commences, pests mate, eat and grow in large numbers.
During this period, pests have more access to food and room to roam around within the environment. The warm temperatures favor their reproduction. Some pests like mosquitoes, termites, and ants thrive during warm temperatures.
2. Availability of Food
During summer, all living creatures have access to food. You will see lizards, rats, ants, spiders, and cockroaches roaming in your home. Your compound may have more pests than usual because the grass is greener.
This may lead to pest population increase until the source of food runs dry. The food chain also contributes to the increase of pests during summer. When you stock all kinds of food in your pantry, that creates room for pests. Plants flourish during summer which creates food availability for pests.
3. Reproduction
Pests reproduce and multiply during summer. They hibernate during the cold seasons and reproduce in summer. After several months of dormancy, they take advantage of the summer to restock their colonies and nests.
Propagation happens when new hatchlings emerge from their eggs. During this period, worker pests search for food to feed the hatchlings. Rodents and flies reproduce during summer. Flies go in search of food and a place to lay their eggs. When mammals release feces, flies lay their eggs in it hence more reproduction. Rodents feed on grass, seeds, and plant leaves in summer.
4. Daylight
During summer, day time is longer than night time. With more daytime hours, pests have enough time to feed. Especially during the day, you will find more pests as compared to nighttime. You may carry home pests like ticks and fleas during summer. The long hours of light mean more hours of activity.
5. People Activities
Summertime is great for outdoor activities like camping, fishing, vacations among other things. While you’re away, pests can find their way into your homes. Through these activities also, people tend to spread pests more. If you don’t put in place proper mechanisms, your home will become a breeding ground for pests.
6. Moisture
Moisture is important for the survival of living things and pests are no exception. That’s why several pests thrive in moist areas. Humidity is ideal for survival, productivity, and feeding of pests.
Due to water vapor, pests have access to outdoor environment. High humidity during summer provides favorable conditions for pests to breed and reproduce. During drought, pests move indoors in search of damp areas for shelter.
7. Life Cycle
Majority of pests you come across are cold-blooded and weather affects them. They are only active during a certain stage in their cycle, especially in summer. Take for example the ant colony.
They grow bigger during summer. It is common practice for pests to reproduce during summer so that their colonies can survive through the dormant seasons of winter. Like humans, pests become very active during summer as well. They multiply within a very short period. They reproduce more in summer before hibernation during winter. Most pests invade your home to escape the harsh temperatures in summer.
It is true that warm climates foster pests, but, harsh weather can also harm them. Not all pests are harmful. yet, they will cause major damage if you don’t contact a pest control services to get rid of them sooner.
Conclusion
Just like human beings, pests also like being comfortable. They don’t fancy extremely hot or cold climates. That’s why you may notice influx of pests in your house during summer. Some will be too frightened to get out when the sun is too cold. So, they’ll try to get what is within your compound hence the increased activities.
Therefore, not all pests you see during the summer are harmful. Some are in search of food like spiders which feed on flies, mosquitoes among others. But, take precaution to prevent a pest infestation. A few simple tips to prevent pest infestation include mowing the lawn, emptying the trash, and keeping your house clean.
