Pest infestations after a hurricane are not uncommon, especially a few months down the road. A lot of insect problems arise from moisture problems that may have been from structural damage or flooding and not be aware of a hidden moisture issue, which pests take advantage of.
Other pest-related issues also occur after a storm. With a high termite presence in the Southeast, many homeowners receive regular termite inspections and treatments. But the concern is that heavy rains and flooding may wash away liquid termiticide treatments so they are no longer there. You can protect your home by keeping an eye out for post-hurricane pests. And while it’s upsetting if you do discover an infestation- on top of everything else you may have had to cope with after a storm – you can get control of them. It’s emotionally draining when you’ve already been dealing with other recovery efforts, but you can solve the problem by eliminating the source of the moisture. This often involves opening up walls or ceiling voids to allow an area to dry out.
Here are a few of the most common pests you may see after a storm:
Plaster Beetles so-named when plaster was more common, feed on mold on materials with hidden moisture, such as wet sheetrock or wood or leaks under flat roofs. The Tiny adult beetles are reddish brown and about 1/3-inch long and are attracted to lights.
It’s not hard to kill adult beetles. Vacuum them up, or use an aerosol insecticide. Locating the underlying dampness may be difficult, so you may need to hire a professional to do some sleuthing.
Springtails are another group of insects that feed on moldy materials. They’re about 1 to 2mm long, have no larvae stage and no wings as adults, so the babies look just like the adults. They are black, brown or white, and use their tails to push off and “spring” when disturbed. Because of their jumping behavior, they’re often mistaken for fleas. You’ll often see these near exterior walls, windows, chimneys or where pipes enter the building. If you spot them, you’re close to the source of the moisture.
Book Lice feed on mold and mildew, typically in damp books and papers. They are white to pale brown, about 1/8-inch or larger. They’re usually cryptic, but if you get mold, populations can explode. They typically are found near the moisture problem. Book lice don’t bite and/or destroy structures, but they’re an indication that you have moisture hiding beneath cabinets, furniture, boxes, or under carpet padding.
Silverfish don’t bite or sting, but these insects prefer isolated areas and can startle you when they scuttle out of hiding. Like most other pests, they like piles of papery clutter and cool, damp areas. While they don’t bite or carry disease, they can (amazingly!) live for several years. You can vacuum them up or dust lightly with boric acid in crevices where you see them emerging, and dry out dampness. Always a good idea to keep them out of long-term storage items, such as Christmas decorations.
Mosquitoes always present an issue, but they’re especially problematic after storms. Make sure to dump out standing water (where they lay their eggs), including areas such as baby pools, old tires, wheelbarrows, buckets, flower pot saucers, and tarps. Also, clean gutters regularly. However, some species, known as floodwater mosquitoes, lay eggs in moist soil, not in standing water.
Termites – If you have a termite contract, consult with your pest control specialist to determine whether your treatment was washed away. Also be alert to signs of an infestation, which include large numbers of swarmers (3/8 to 1/4-inch long brown or black with four wings of roughly equal size) indoors or outdoors in late winter to fall, and mud tunnels about the width of a straw on the foundation of your house, floor joists, and other parts of your home. While you may be able to control other household pests, a termite infestation is beyond the scope of most people’s abilities and isn’t a DIY-job. Take the time to get several estimates from professional pest control companies. But Barnes Exterminating has the best service and prices in the area. Give them a call at (888) 542-4376.
Carpenter Ants are attracted to moisture-damaged wood. They range in size from 1/4 to 5/8-inch long and swarm in late winter to early spring. While these pests don’t eat wood, like termites do, they excavate it to make a secondary nest for their babies in wet areas of your home. Carpenter ants in the Southeast are not as concerning as structural pests like termites, but you still need to eliminate the colony. You may find carpenter ants in water-damaged areas such as near attic vents, soffits, rooflines, untreated wood in contact with soil, and wet insulation. Carpenter ant baits can be effective because ants are social and share food with one another thus potentially knocking out the whole colony. But you’ll also need to find the main nest, which is located somewhere nearby outdoors, and repair leaks and moisture damage.
Fire Ants– Even if you’ve never had fire ants in your yard, these pests can become an issue after a storm. That’s because they are able to form giant “rafts” by linking together and floating to a new location. This is an issue because they are able to establish a colony in a place where they may not have previously been found. Because 1 to 2 percent of population is allergic and may experience life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to their stings, you must eliminate fire ants nests from your property.
