Why Are Pests More Active In Summer?
Summer is the most awaited season, as everyone looks forward to taking part in outdoor fun activities. You are probably looking forward to joining a sporting event, go to the beach, or take a family vacation.
However, while the hot season can be fun, it also comes with some drawbacks. This is the period when you notice an increase in pest activities around your property.
Why Are Pests More Active In Summer? Some of the contributing factors include;
- Favorable warm temperature
- Availability of food
- Increased reproduction
- Daylight
- Increased moisture
- Lifecycle
- Increased people activities
Here is a look at how each of these factors plays a part in this.
The Temperatures Are Warm
Pests hibernate during the cold season since the air is dry; hence it is difficult for them to survive. In the winter season, there is less food and a lack of other insects that they can feed on. Therefore, they remain in their nests until the winter season is over.
When summer season commences, pests start mating, eating, and growing. In summer, moisture is abundant, and the pests can access more food sources within the environment. The warmer temperatures during this season favor their reproduction.
Some of the common pests that do well in hot temperatures are mosquitoes as they love damp, warm climates, stinging insects, termites and ants.
More Reproduction
Pests reproduce and increase in number during summer. They take advantage of the cold season to get ready for reproduction when the hot season comes.
After several months of remaining dormant during hibernation, they have to restock their nests and colonies. Propagation among pests happens when new hatchlings come out from the eggs. During this period, the soldier pests actively search for food to feed them.
Flies and rodents actively reproduce in the summer. Mammals go out more often in the summer; hence they release more feces onto the ground. Flies not only feed on the feces but also lay their eggs on it.
Rodents also increase in numbers in the summer. Since plant leaves regrow, rodents have the chance to feed plant leaves, seeds, and grass.
Daylight
During summer, the daytime is more prolonged than nights. It means that light on the outside will last longer. When there are more daytime hours, pests get more time to feed. That is why you find more pests in the summer season, especially during the day.
Pests are bothersome to humans during this season. Moreover, they might bite and cause diseases, as well. Since you also go out more often during summer, you are likely to go home with pests such as fleas and ticks without noticing them.
Increased People’s Activities
Summer is the season when you are likely to spend most of your time outdoors. It is also the period when you are likely to take a vacation, and pests will take advantage of this to invade your home while you are gone. Some of the pests that take advantage of increased people’s activities include;
- Fleas
- Rodents
- Mosquitoes
- Bed bugs
You are also more likely to collect them and bring them to your property unknowingly.
Availability of More Food Sources
Summer is the period when food is more accessible for all living creatures. In summer, you are likely to see cockroaches, lizards, ants, spiders, rats, and termites roaming around your home. The grass is greener, and this means that your compound can sustain more pests.
Also, the food web chain contributes significantly to the increased pests during the summer. If more rodents such as rats roam around, you find that snakes will find food.
If more flies are flying around, spiders will capture them on their web and later feed on them. Thus all the pests turn on each other because they come out at the same time.
Summer is also the season when humans can stock. You probably have all sorts of foods and cereals stocked in the pantry, and this creates more room for pest infestation.
Also, if you have a farm, the warm season is the period when the plants tend to flourish. You are more likely to find insects, birds, and rodents all over the area looking for food, and this explains the increased activity.
Increased Moisture
Moisture is crucial for the survival of living things, and pests are not an exception. Summer is a suitable season for pests’ activities as they can easily access moisture due to the warm water vapor. Humidity is ideal for both productivity and feeding.
Life Cycle
Most pests are cold-blooded, and weather profoundly affects them. They are active during certain stages of their life cycle, especially in the summer season.
A good example is the ant colonies. They intensely increase in size. Pests reproduce to ensure their colonies survive during the colder season when they will remain dormant.
Just like humans, pests are active during the summer season. You find that most pests find their way to your home because they are looking for protection against the harsh temperatures.
The warm environment favors the survival of pests; they can grow faster and also multiply within a short period. Pests reproduce more in summer before hibernating during the winter.
While not pests will cause harm, most of them will, and it is best if you find an exterminator before the issue gets out of hands.
Conclusion
There are also a few measures that you can take to avoid pest infestation. These include mowing your lawn regularly, get rid of rocks in your compound, empty the dustbin often, and keep the house, especially the kitchen clean. To find out more visit NO1 Pest Control Brisbane and find out how to prevent summer pests.
