Hurricanes and pest-related damage: What to know

When you think of summer, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Warm weather? Beaches? Hurricanes!? For the folks in the southeastern U.S. and on the east coast, hurricanes are a huge concern. Hurricanes can arrive at any moment and bring rain, flooding and dangerously high winds. 

In the event of a hurricane, residents’ main priorities are the safety of their loved ones and their homes. The aftermath often requires homeowners to inspect and determine the amount of damage that’s been done to their property. Did you know hurricane damage can trigger serious pest concerns? Here are the conditions and types of pests commonly found after a hurricane and tips on how you can keep your home pest-free.

Conditions that attract pests

The severity of the hurricane damage to your home is a huge factor in determining which pests will make an appearance. It also determines the severity of the pest infestation.

• Structural damage, like roof damage, broken windows and weakened structures – Birds, rodents and other wildlife can make their way into your home
• Standing water, leaking pipes and dripping faucets – Mosquitoes and other critters, like centipedes, love to hide in damp and dark places
• Piles of debris – Insects and rodents, like mice and rats, can burrow their way into piles of clutter
• Spoiled or uncovered food – Flies and cockroaches are always on the hunt for something to snack on

Common pests found after hurricanes

The aftermath of a hurricane can welcome a variety of pests including:

• Mice & rats
• Cockroaches
• Ants
• Birds
• Mosquitoes

How to remove pests after a hurricane

Once the storm has passed and you have gathered your bearings, it’s now time to figure out how to remove pests, like ants or cockroaches, from your home.  Depending on the type of pest infestation you are dealing with will determine how you will remove them from your property.

Did you know fire ants can actually create “rafts” and float until they reached dry land? Outsmart pests by actively removing pest-friendly environments.

• Seal entryways – If possible, before the storm, seal or close off entryways like windows and doors to keep pests out

• Remove debris – Hurricane damage often involves piles of debris. As quickly and as safely as possible, remove the piles of debris from your property to reduce the likelihood of pests settling in or around your home.

• Throw away, remove or dry out soaked furniture or other items affected by the storm – Flooding is all too common after a hurricane. Since pests love to hide in damp environments, it’s important to inspect the items in your home after a storm.

• Remove trees and shrubbery – If trees are damaged or if branches have snapped, make sure to remove and keep branches and stumps as far away from your home as possible. Decaying wood can attract termites and ants.

Pest control near me

The best way to protect your home from pests after a hurricane is with Ehrlich Pest Control. We remove and prevent pests in or out of hurricane season. For more information on our pest control services, contact us online or give us a call at 888-986-2074.