Pests That Appear After A Heavy Rain (And How To Get Rid Of Them)
A heavy downpour can provide enough water to keep your harden soil moist for a week or longer. Once the puddles disappear, you may notice new blossoms, and plants may appear greener than before. Unfortunately, heavy rain can also introduce new pests to your yard and may force others out of hiding and into your home.
Some pests that are likely to appear after a heavy rainstorm include various types of ants, mosquitoes, centipedes, snails, and slugs. Burrowing animals, including several rodent species and ground wasps, may also be more visible. Wet ground can also introduce more snails and slugs into your yard. If you live in a desert climate, you may notice more scorpions near (or inside) your home.
Rain brings all sorts of life to your yard. Much of it is beneficial, including new flowers and edible plants in your vegetable garden. Some, however, is far less desirable. Many pests can infiltrate your yard after a night of heavy rain, and some of them can even find their way into your home. To protect yourself from these critters, it's good to know which pests appear after a rainstorm and how to get rid of them.
Nine Pests You See After A Heavy Rain (And How To Get Rid Of Them)
1. Ants
Ants are one of the most common and plentiful pests you are likely to find in your yard and in your home. These tiny bugs can appear at any time, but they are most abundant after a rainstorm. Heavy rain can force ant colonies out of their underground homes and seek shelter in your home. Even just one storm can force ants into your home.
How To Get Rid Of Ants: The best way to keep ants out of your home is to ensure your dwelling is sealed tight. Fill any holes and seal any cracks in your home’s exterior. You can also create a barrier using cinnamon or diatomaceous earth to keep these pests outside. If you notice ants in the home, buy ant traps to prevent their population from increasing.
2. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are annoying to most people. When you hear these tiny bugs buzzing near your ear, your relaxing time outside is cut short. They bite your skin, causing itchy welts that can last a week or longer. While they are around throughout the warm months, they multiply with vigor after a heavy rainstorm, as they need water to reproduce.Â
How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes: The best way to decrease mosquito populations in your yard is to remove all stagnant water. Mosquito larvae grows in bird baths, puddles, and other still water sources. Emptying these breeding grounds can help minimize mosquito populations. You can also plant mosquito-repelling plants, including lavender, peppermint, and citronella, or purchase a bug zapper.
3. Wasps
Wasps are great pollinators, but they can also cause painful stings when they get too close and feel threatened. You want to keep these insects as far away from your home as possible. Some wasps burrow in the ground, and after a rainstorm, they are more likely to be found buzzing around seeking a new home.
How To Keep Wasps Away: One great way to reduce the number of wasps on your property is to get rid of nests in the fall and winter when they are dormant. To keep these bugs out of your home, ensure window screens are free of holes and always keep doors shut to prevent them from entering.
4. Scorpions
Scorpions can be pretty scary, and one of the last creatures you want to find in your home. A sting from a scorpion can be so potent that it may require a trip to the emergency room. Even a mild sting is painful, and these creatures are frightening to find crawling in your home. After a rainstorm, scorpions may seek shelter indoors, and you are more likely to find them inside.
How To Keep Scorpions Away: The best way to keep scorpions out of the house is to ensure your home is shut tight. Seal all vulnerabilities, and keep your windows and doors closed, especially after it rains. If you see scorpions frequently, consider clearing vegetation near your home, especially around your windows.
5. Snails And Slugs
Snails and slugs require moisture to survive. When it’s wet in your yard after a rainstorm, these garden pests thrive. Snails and slugs can consume and demolish entire plants in a matter of days. Keep these pests in check, especially when your property is wet.
How To Get Rid Of Slugs And Snails: Slugs and snails are destructive pests, but there are several ways to get rid of them. Since they have a soft exterior, you can sprinkle egg shells, diatomaceous earth, and even coffee grounds to keep them off your plants. Reapply these substances after it rains for the best results.
6. Rodents
Mice, rats, and other burrowing rodents hate getting wet. When there is significant rainfall, these vermin abandon their homes and seek shelter in a dry place. They will try to find a way into your home and your sheltered outdoor spaces by any means possible. They can destroy furniture, window screens, and leave excrement all over your rugs and cushions.
How To Keep Rodents Out: Seal all holes and potential entry points to keep rodents out of your home. You can use steel wool in holes, as most rodents can’t penetrate this metal barrier.
7. Termites
Termites are among the most destructive insects, especially in homes and wooden furniture. After a rain, these flying, wood-eating bugs often appear in huge numbers to find food, mate, and locate a new home. If you live somewhere with termites, you’ll want to know how to keep them at bay, as they can cause serious damage to your home if left unchecked.
How To Get Rid Of Termites: One of the best ways to get rid of termites on your property is to use termiticides in your lawn on a scheduled basis. These specialized chemicals kill termites before they ever have a chance to fly and cause damage.
8. Cockroaches
Few people like cockroaches. They symbolize filth and decay, and they are an insect you never want living inside your home. Unfortunately, they can find their way into even the cleanest homes. After it rains, you are even more likely to see them crawling inside your dwelling.
How To Keep Cockroaches Out: Maintaining a clean home and sealing any vulnerabilities are great ways to keep cockroaches out. Keep your surfaces free of food, remove trash promptly, and put all food items in airtight containers.
9. Centipedes
For those living in warm and tropical climates, centipedes can be a real problem. These large, 100-legged creatures are creepy, and they can cause horrible pain if they bite you. The crawling insects love living in moist, sheltered environments, including under mulch piles and in underbrush. When it rains, however, they will often seek shelter in your home.
How To Keep Centipedes Out Of Your Home: Since these pests love moisture, keep your home dry and free of standing water. Ensure there are no leaky pipes or puddles. Seal all entrances to keep centipedes out of your home, and consider investing in a door sweep if there are small gaps between your exterior doors and the floor.
Summing Up Pests That Appear After Heavy Rain
Rain brings new growth, but this growth doesn’t only apply to plants. It also creates ideal conditions for insects and other pests to breed and heavy rains can force ground-dwelling pests to the surface. To prevent pests from taking over your yard and home after an intense rainfall, it's good to know which creatures to look out for.
Some pests you see in abundance outside after a rainfall include slugs, snails, termites, and mosquitoes. Ants, centipedes, and rodents may seek shelter and food inside your home after it rains, and wasps may appear in abundance as they seek new shelter. To keep these pests out of your home, seal all cracks and other entry points to keep them outside where they belong.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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