Pests are persistent, disgusting and (let’s face it) never-ending. Everything from clothes moths in the spring, to scuttling mice in the winter, not to mention flies in the height of summer, will try to make a home of your home. So, there’s always some pest on the horizon (if not already there!). But one condition can irritate and trigger an influx: rainfall.
Heavy rainfall will drive a range of pests into your home because they seek shelter, warmth, food and comfy conditions. And with heavy rain scheduled until the weekend, now’s the window for these opportunists. The good news is there are steps you take now to protect your home and prevent an infestation. Here’s what you need to do.
What pests do you need to watch out for?
Rats and mice
With drains and burrows flooded, rats and mice are forced out of their nests and move swiftly to higher ground. They are on the lookout for somewhere dry, warm and ideally with a steady supply of food. That’s where your kitchen can end up ticking every box!
Ants
Ants aren’t keen on heavy rainfall either. In fact, once it floods the tunnels in their nest (and washes away their food supply), they pack up and leave in search of dry, stable conditions, carrying their larvae and eggs with them. Considering the size of an ant, they’re likely to find gaps all around your home as they seek sanctuary. Ant infestations are surging right now, so it's worth prepping your home for them.
Spiders
Spiders seek shelter in the rain too. And can you blame them? The rain disturbs and can even destroy their webs, and with all the other pests coming indoors, it’s a regular smorgasbord for them to follow.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are annoying enough in the heat of summer, but rainfall makes them even more likely to pay a visit. While they generally won’t travel in heavy rainfall (they’re not great flyers in the best of times), the aftermath is where the population spikes. Mosquitoes breed in standing water (which will be everywhere), and the residual heat makes the conditions humid and more prolific! That's why a 'bucket of doom' is so effective at breaking the cycle.
Slugs and snails
These are more outdoors than in, but slugs and snails are everywhere once it’s rained, and it’s not good news for your plants. The additional moisture on the ground and in the air makes the environment ideal for their survival and travel. And your damp plants are pre-watered for consumption.
How to prevent rainy-day pests
1. Keep your home clean
First, if there’s no crumbs, sticky spills or wrappers laying around your home, it’s less enticing to scavenging pests, such as ants and rodents. Vacuum regularly, mop hard floors, wipe down surfaces and empty your bins before they overflow. Make sure any open food in your pantry is also sealed in airtight containers.
Don’t forget about pet food either! Bags should be sealed away and you should limit any food being left out in the open by breaking up meal times or using a pet bowl with a lid, like the Sure Petcare SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder.
2. Seal off any entryways
If you limit the entryways, pests are less likely to find their way in. Start by looking for slight gaps and cracks around windows and doors. Remember, it only needs to be tiny for an ant to find its way in, or even pen-sized for a mouse. Use a caulking gun to seal any entryways. You can reinforce with steel wool if necessary to prevent rats – but avoid around any electrical wires. Check for gaps around any utility pipes as well as vents and roofing too. Although these may require professional repairs.
If you’re a fan of fresh air, installing fly screens can also be an easy way to keep windows and doors open without letting everything else in.
3. Declutter hiding spaces
Most pests prefer an environment with plenty of hiding spaces; especially rodents and spiders. This helps them to stay out of sight and so avoid predators. So, by keeping a decluttered home, you’re making it less inviting. Remove cardboard boxes, floordrobes and any loose items in which a pest could conceal itself.
4. Leave spiders alone
We’ve referred to spiders as pests up until now, but they can be very helpful if you leave them alone. They will catch and eat a host of pests including clothes moths, mosquitoes and houseflies, so they are another effective solution. True, they do leave cobwebs behind which can be a nuisance, but old webs can be readily removed with a vacuum cleaner’s crevice tool, or an extendable dusting brush.
If you spot a spider and you want it out of the home, don’t kill it! Instead, use a trusty spider catcher to safely remove it, or use the old glass and card trap. Spiders form an essential part of our ecosystem and you should avoid killing them.
5. Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture
While pests are trying to avoid the excess moisture outside, they’re still drawn to moderate amounts of moisture indoors; they need it to survive after all. So set up a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture indoors when necessary, e.g. after a shower or when cooking in the kitchen.
If there are any hidden leaks around the home, those will also need repairing to remove an additional moisture source.
6. Protect your plants
As for slugs and snails, you can protect your plants with a few small adjustments. You can create a barrier of eggshells, coffee grounds, wool pellets or copper rings. For potted plants, applying petroleum jelly on the outside of the pot acts as another measure.
