One of the many wonderful things about Vancouver is the changing of the seasons and the magic and beauty that each unique time of year brings to the area. While living in a climate with four seasons is a draw for many people, those of us in the pest abatement business have an intimate understanding of the challenges that seasonal patterns may pose. Weather influences on pest activity are nearly as varied as the pests themselves, and weatherproofing your home against pests for all seasons is critical when living in British Columbia. Cold snowy winters, wet springs and falls, and warm weather summers all contribute to the variety of climates and pest infestations, and Seaside Pest Control is here to help best set you up for success and you work on weatherproofing your home against pests for all seasons.
Common Winter Pests
It should come as no surprise that winter weather drives pests of all sizes to adjust to the cold temperatures. If not hibernating, spiders and insects such as boxelder bugs and cockroaches will often try to find their way indoors. Similarly, larger pests like mice and rodents will be drawn to warm spaces to either more easily stay active or find somewhere cozy to hibernate. Leading into the winter months is a great time to double-check for any cracks or holes in your home’s foundation, as those are often the easiest entry points for pests of all sizes.
Common Wet Weather Pests
Many pests thrive in wet weather, and some even require dampness to exist. In fact, for many species rainfall and pest breeding go hand in hand. This is of particular concern in a wet environment like coastal British Columbia. Mosquitos, termites, stinkbugs, silverfish, and many beetle species do very well in wet conditions. Some of these species require stagnant water to lay eggs and for young larvae to grow into adulthood. In addition to requiring moisture to succeed, other pest species are driven toward coverage during periods of heavy rain. In Vancouver, it is not uncommon to have more roaches and spiders indoors during the spring and fall as they try to avoid periods of heavy rain. Similarly, heavy rains that lead to floods can force ground-dwelling insects out of their preferred homes. During periods of flooding, ant and yellow jacket nests may flood which in turn could cause their residents to find more suitable, drier alternatives – potentially your home.
Common Hot Summer and Drought Pests
Generally speaking, the reproductive rates of most insects increase with warming temperatures. Simply put, this means that there are more active insects in the summer than in the winter. Temperature increase also correlates with metabolic increase in insects, meaning these pests are hungrier in the summer than during the colder months. The drive to eat will often push insects and other pests indoors, creating problems in your home. Further, all organisms need water to live so extremely dry and drought-like weather will force pests to seek out hydration. Oftentimes, this can lead to insects finding water in and around residential spaces.
Weather influences on pest activity are as unique as the pests themselves. No one season is better than another when it comes to pest abatement in Vancouver – each just provides its own unique set of challenges. Thankfully, Seaside Pest Control is here to help with weatherproofing your home against pests in all seasons. Whether you have an immediate need for pest abatement or want to get ahead on upcoming weather influences on pest activity, give us a call today!