The Storm Is Over, But Pest Problems Might Just Be Starting
Once the strong winds and heavy rain from a storm pass, many south Florida homeowners are focused on debris, roof and structural home damage, power restoration, and cleanup. Pests often aren’t at the top of their mental list. But it’s the same post-storm conditions that can lead to pest problems down the road:
- Standing water
- Damaged screens, soffits, and rooflines
- Wet building materials
- Spoiled food
- Delayed sanitation services
- Storm debris
Post-storm pest problems shouldn’t be viewed as separate un-related problems. Most of the pests are simply responding to changes in water, food, shelter, and access. If you prepared your home before the storm, follow that up with a post-storm inspection. In this blog post, we’ll cover practical post-storm checks for homeowners, once conditions are safe.
Watch for Pests That Are Moving Toward Higher and Drier Shelter
Storms bring heavy rains, which can lead to localized flooding. This can disrupt the outdoor spots where roaches, spiders, ants, rodents, and other pests normally shelter. Once the soil, mulch, and vegetation they live in become too saturated, the pests follow their natural instincts: find higher ground and drier ground. They may start to move towards:
- Garages
- Attics
- Sheds
- Patios
- Wall voids
- Interior living spaces
Seeing pests after a storm doesn’t always mean the pest population is growing. In many cases, they’re simply displaced, which is why you’re seeing them now. UF/IFAS experts note that flooding can push cockroaches, spiders, rodents, and other pests toward dry shelter. Remain diligent in the coming days and weeks after a storm, and on the lookout for any pest sightings.
Remove Bodies of Standing Water Before Mosquitoes Take Advantage
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing bodies of water, which makes them a particular troublesome pest after a big storm. When the conditions are safe, be sure to walk around and inspect the property. Look for and remove any water that’s collected in some common spots:
- Buckets
- Bins
- Children’s toys
- Flowerpots and saucers
- Trash lids
- Pool covers
- Tarps
- Gutters
- Lawn depressions and low spots
- General storm debris
Tip over, drain, and empty any places holding water and don’t wait for them to air dry naturally. Mosquitos can lay their eggs in even quite small amounts of standing water. This is why UF/IFAS also recommends paying close attention to mosquito breeding sites after storms. During a traditional storm season or any period of repeated rainfall, this may mean inspecting the yard and property more than once, regularly.
Inspect Post-Storm Home Damage for New Pest Entry Points
The strong winds and debris from storms can damage homes and create new openings and entry points that weren’t there before the storm. Insects and rodents that are reacting to the post-storm conditions may infiltrate the home through these newly exposed areas. After the storm, take the time to inspect:
- Torn window screens
- Weather-stripping and door seals
- Garage doors
- Soffits and fascia
- Rooflines
- Attic vents
- Plumbing and utility-line penetrations
- Exterior wall damage
It doesn’t take a large hole or crack for a pest to travel through it. Even the smallest of gaps can be sufficient for many of them to enter the home. Part of the post-storm pest prevention begins with exclusion work. Thoroughly inspect the perimeter and multiple levels of your home and make any needed repairs as quickly as possible.
Dry Wet Materials and Fix Leaks Before Moisture Pests Settle In
Plumbing damage, roof leaks, soaked drywall, and water-damaged wood can all create prolonged dampness. These damp conditions in turn can attract a range of pests:
- Carpenter ants
- Cockroaches
- Silverfish
- Flies and drain-flies
- Moisture-associated insects
- Wood-infesting pests
Water damaged wood also poses problems specifically for subterranean termites. UF/IFAS experts recommend drying affected materials and correcting storm-related leaks to reduce pest-friendly moisture. Homeowners should try to dry affected areas promptly as best they can, and make any repairs for the source of the moisture (leaks, plumbing, etc). These proactive steps are better in the long-run than simply reacting to and treating the visible pests later.
Remove Spoiled Food and Storm Debris That Become Pest Magnets
Some storms lead to extended power-outages in the area, which can leave local homeowners with spoiled food in their refrigerator and/or freezer. In addition, there may be delayed garbage pickup and sanitation services in the aftermath of a storm. Garbage, litter and general storm debris can begin to collect outside. Both of these factors can combine to attract a range of pests that are known opportunistic scavengers
- Flies
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Bees and wasps
- Rats, mice, and other rodents
- Other scavenging pests
Local hurricane cleanup guidance recommends separating vegetation, household garbage, and other storm debris. If food has spoiled, secure it in durable closed containers or trash bags, according to the local garbage disposal advice. Keep household garbage separate from construction debris as well as tree/plant/vegetation debris. Be mindful that yard waste and debris piles can also serve as new shelters for storm-impacted pest populations.an then select a treatment approach that works best for that particular pest.
Use Extra Caution Around Fire Ants, Floodwater, and Pesticide Usage
Besides removing the water, food, and shelter attractants that pests need, there are a few other safety considerations to be aware of. Florida health officials advise caution around fire ants, floodwater, debris, and other displaced animals during storm cleanup. Fire ants are a familiar troublesome pest in southeast Florida and they’re known to form living, floating “rafts” for survival. They may relocate as water recedes. Don’t attempt to touch them or move them by hand and be on the lookout for them in the wake of a storm as you move throughout your yard. Don’t let pets or young children unattended in the yard until you’re sure it’s free of these fire ants.
Similarly, be careful around floodwater that contains harmful pathogens and floating debris. They can pose non-pest health and safety risks. If you’re thinking of directly applying pesticides, use caution and discretion. Saturated and flooded soil can increase chemical runoff concerns, so what might seem like a localized, direct application can become non-localized very quickly. Read the labels and warnings posted on pesticide products carefully before post-storm usage. If there are widespread pest problems in the days or weeks after a storm, a professional pest inspection is likely a better option than repeated DIY pesticide spraying.
Post-Storm Pest Prevention Checklist: What to Inspect
The goal after a hurricane or heavy storm isn’t to eliminate every insect or pest immediately. It’s to restore the conditions that make the home and yard less attractive and accessible to these pests in the first place. Here’s an actionable list of the most important checks and next-steps once safety conditions permit them:
- Empty, tip, and/or drain standing water
- Inspect damaged screens, doors, soffits, and rooflines for new gaps and cracks
- Dry wet building materials and repair leaks
- Secure spoiled food and garbage
- Remove yard debris (without creating new pest harborages)
- Use caution around fire ants and displaced wildlife
- Look for droppings, gnaw marks, ant trails, roach activity, or new insect swarms
- Check attic and garage areas for new rodent or insect activity
Of course, if pest activity persists or structural pests (like termites) may be involved, you might want to contact a professional pest control company. Here at Nozzle Nolen, we have decades of experience in south Florida and understand how the local weather and climate patterns uniquely contribute to pest pressures. We offer award-winning residential pest control programs for homeowners in Palm Beach and surrounding counties. You can always visit our website to schedule a free initial pest inspection and consultation today.
