How Weather Can Affect Insect Problems

Weather plays a very important role in all living things and how it affects their ability to survive or thrive. When we have droughts, we see lawns die, crops don’t flourish and this affects the insect world in their ability to reproduce.

In the dry heat of summer most insects are less likely to travel, keeping to cooler damp environments to maintain their existence is key. This is usually in dense brush areas or under rocks, mulch and such. The lack of moisture and water limits insect reproduction and the inability to nurture eggs and young.

Most often the type of Winter we have in this North East region will affect the insect population greatly. Extreme cold and below freezing temperatures drive the frost line down deep. This can greatly reduce insect populations as most insects will hibernate underground in organic mulch areas. The fermenting organic matter keeps them warm, but in severe cold event these areas freeze and can kill off more pests than usual.

Most people often think a very snowy winter would reduce pest populations, in contrast, large amounts of snow fall and accumulation provides an insulated blanket for the ground and the cold temperature don’t penetrate as deep causing the frost level not to reach most insects in hibernation.  These types of winters usually produce an abundant insect population the following Spring and Summer season

Just as they say April showers bring May flowers, that goes the same for insects. If there is a lot of rain during the spring season this will definitely increase insect populations for the summer season. Readily accessible water allows colonies to be able to reproduce faster and more frequently and nourish their eggs and young. This reason alone is why maintaining water problems around your home is very important in regards to pest control.

All County can perform a Home/Pest Evaluation if you have any further questions or concerns about your home and how it relates to pest prevention. Our Home Protection Plan is the best pest protection for you, your family and your home.