Post-Hurricane Pest Control

Author: Emma Grace Crumbley, Entomologist 

Earlier this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) predicted 2024’s hurricane season would be “above average” with larger storms, heavier rains, and stronger winds. As we are seeing in the wake of Hurricane Helene and the weather reports for Hurricane Milton, this year’s hurricanes have caused serious damage to structures both in their path and in nearby areas.

As our communities continue to recover from the effects of these tropical storms, it's important to remember that heavy rain and home damage can rapidly lead to pest problems. Many insects thrive in warm, wet weather, and flooded, high-moisture areas, and foundational damage can create the perfect conditions for pests to invade and infest your home. 

Mosquitoes

Whenever there’s a rain event, mosquito populations boom. Rainwater from the storm collected in containers or flooded areas around a home creates breeding grounds and leads to more mosquitoes.

After a hurricane subsides, and only when it’s safe to do so, take the appropriate actions to get rid of standing water in and around your home:

• Tip out containers in your yard that might be holding water.
• Check that potted plants aren't overflowing.
• Inspect your yard for areas of flooding.
• Clean out gutters and downspouts.

Ants

When rainstorms lead to flooding and over-saturated ground soil, ants are often flushed out of their nests and forced to seek shelter elsewhere. This can lead to ant infestations in and around your home following heavy rain.

In the days and weeks after a hurricane, check to make sure you aren’t inviting ants inside:

• Check that house openings, such as doors and windows, have tight seals when closed.
• Patch any cracks and crevices in your home's walls and outdoor foundation.
• Look around your lawn for ant mounds formed around your property.

For more information, check out our blog on why you see more ants when it rains.

Termites

Heavy rain and flooding from tropical storms can damage your home's wood foundations. High moisture levels from flooding can attract subterranean termites, pests that eat the wood that supports your home, and can cause significant home damage.

If your house has a basement, crawl space, wooden ground flooring, or a wooden deck, you should check that water from the storm hasn’t seeped in or pooled in these areas:

• Inspect the lowest levels of the home for moisture build-up, fungal growth, and wood rot.
• Look for mud tubes (also called termite tubes) coming out of the ground in either your basement, crawl space, or side of the home.
• Check foundation cracks on floors and walls for mud tubes or termite activity.                                                                                       

Squad Support

To help some of the communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene, Mosquito Squad has launched a GoFundMe page. Even if you can't contribute financially, you can help us reach our goal by sharing this campaign with your friends and family. With your help, we can bring hope, healing, and restoration to the Central Savannah River Area.