The UK is being hit with what feels like its 100th heatwave of the summer already and it’s only June! But as much as we’re all enjoying this out-of-character sunshine, there’s a problem brought on by these soaring temperatures – and I’m not talking about sunburn.
Warm weather unfortunately triggers surges in a number of different pests. Various insects and rodents all either breed better and faster in warm temperatures or start venturing further into our homes to seek water and shelter. On top of that, seasonal pests, such as flying ants, will start their hatching season when temperatures consistently exceed 25ºC – which is coming our way very soon.
But never fear, despite the spike in all these creepy-crawlies, there’s still time to protect your home. So, while you’re purchasing fans and switching over to summer bedding, consider these tips for combatting the most common hot-weather pests to help protect your home from during the heatwave.
Ants
A common invader of pantries and ruiner of many a picnic, ants are an unwelcome feature of summer. Despite being active all year round, they really amp up their invasions during the summer months, as high temperatures accelerate their metabolism. This means they tend to forage more aggressively for food and water – and, yes, they do so in our kitchens. And with extreme heat like that which is set to hit the UK this weekend, they’re now also seeking respite from the sun.
Another reason we see more ants in our homes during a heatwave is down to the foundations of our homes: the warm weather causes homes to expand slightly, which can create tiny cracks and gaps around windows and doors that ants easily slip through. Incredibly unfair, but not necessarily as unavoidable as it sounds.
How to protect your home from ants
During a heatwave, ants enter your home in search of food and moisture, so the best way to keep them out is to not offer them any. Seal cracks with weather-resistant caulk, wipe away sticky trails using a mixture of half vinegar and half water to destroy their pheromones and scent trails, and store all sweet, perishable foods in airtight containers.
Make sure you run a tight ship during high temperatures – any kind of food residue on floors or countertops is like catnip to ants. This includes being strict with cleaning up after your pets’ dinner, too. Ants are also incredibly scent sensitive, so applying a perimeter of essential oils, such as peppermint, ground cinnamon or chalk along windowsills and entry points can be really effective at disrupting their scent trails.
Flies
You won’t need me to tell you that with warm weather comes a home full of flies – little pesky ones that whine and those massive bottlenose idiots that never seem to find the wide open window right in front of them. This increase in airborne visitors is due to a combination of reasons.
Firstly, high temperatures accelerate their life cycle and hatching rates. Flies are cold-blooded insects that thrive in heat. Summer temperatures accelerate their entire life cycle, allowing eggs to hatch much faster and populations to boom in a short timeframe. Secondly, we all have our windows open, so our best attempts at cooling down our homes is pretty much like rolling out the red carpet for flies in search of spoiled food and smelly bins – both of which are far more common during a heatwave.
How to protect your home from flies
The best defense is a good offence when it comes to pests – and flies are no different. You’ll want to combine physical barriers and airflow with strategic hygiene to keep these buzzy bugs at bay. Deny them entry by fitting custom-fit magnetic fly screens on open windows; that way, you can keep cool during the heatwave, but they can’t join you. You can also disrupt their flight paths by using fans to blast air outwards.
A sneaky hack most forget about is ensuring window trickle vents aren’t clogged, which can provide an entry or hiding spot for moisture-loving pests. If you’ve got a real swarm on your hands, you can try out one of our tried and tested DIY fly traps, too.
Bins are one of the biggest attractions for flies, so, during hot weather, make sure you’re emptying them more regularly than usual, keep them away from any doors or windows and secure them with a tight lid. Unwashed meat trays and food tins quickly emit strong odours in high heat, too, so be sure to rinse them before recycling, and move indoor recycling bags outdoors frequently.
Cockroaches
Yes, it’s true, we do in fact get cockroaches in the UK – and heatwaves are prime time for spotting them. Much like the other pests, warm weather accelerates their metabolism and breeding cycles. In the UK, species like the German cockroach thrive in the humid, heated areas of our homes, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and multiply much faster in higher temperatures.
While these creepy, seemingly indestructible critters were not previously that common in the UK, experts warn that milder winters and these more frequent heatwaves, along with increased urban density (particularly in flats and apartment blocks), allow cockroaches to survive and spread much more easily than before. So, now is the ideal time to prep.
How to protect your home from cockroaches
One of the most effective ways to make your home less appealing is to remove the essentials for survival wherever possible. Keep kitchen worktops free from crumbs, store food in sealed containers, empty bins regularly and wipe up spills promptly. It's also important to tackle sources of moisture, as cockroaches are particularly attracted to damp areas, especially in high temperatures where regular access to water might be lacking. Fix dripping taps, avoid leaving standing water in sinks and ensure bathrooms and kitchens are well ventilated. Good airflow can help reduce the humid conditions that cockroaches love so much.
Heatwaves can drive cockroaches indoors through surprisingly small gaps and cracks. Check around doors, windows, pipework and skirting boards for potential entry points and seal them where possible. Pay particular attention to kitchens, utility rooms and areas around drains, as some species can enter properties through drainage systems. If you spot signs such as droppings, egg cases or live cockroaches, act quickly, as populations can grow rapidly in hot weather. Early intervention is key, but persistent infestations are best dealt with by a professional pest controller.
Wasps
Another classic villain of summertime are wasps. A reminder: I’m not referring to the ever helpful and rightfully protected bee population, simply their rather nasty cousins. Mature wasps’ nests reach peak population during the summer months. As colonies grow, the worker wasps forage in our homes, around our BBQs and in the middle of our picnics, seeking sweet, sugary foods to sustain themselves. Additionally, unusually warm weather like this causes more colonies to thrive.
How to protect your home from wasps
To reduce the chances of them gathering around your home, keep outdoor bins tightly sealed, clear away fallen fruit from the garden and avoid leaving sugary drinks or food uncovered on patios and balconies. Wasps are particularly attracted to sweet smells, so cleaning up spills promptly and keeping outdoor dining areas tidy can make your home far less appealing.
It’s also worth taking steps to discourage wasps from nesting near your property during hot weather. Check sheds, roof spaces, decking and eaves for signs of nest-building activity, and seal small gaps around walls and window frames where possible.
Wasps are also quite scent sensitive, so natural deterrents such as peppermint, eucalyptus and citronella can help keep them at bay, whether in plant form near windows and doors or as diluted essential oil sprays around outdoor seating areas. If you discover an active nest, avoid disturbing it yourself, as wasps can become aggressive when threatened; instead, contact a professional pest controller for advice and removal.
Rodents
Despite rodents usually being associated with winter, when they come inside our homes to keep warm, heatwaves can also cause an influx of rodents in UK homes. This is primarily because the pests are driven indoors to escape extreme heat, search for water and forage for food amid increased outdoor dining and overflowing rubbish bins. Once again, open windows and doors offer an easy route out of the beating sun for them.
These record-breaking warmer summers don’t look like they’re going to be slowing down any time soon and global warming has a direct impact on rodent infestations. Warmer, extended summers create a perfect storm for mice and rats, as it prolongs the breeding season. This speeds up reproduction cycles, resulting in significantly larger rodent populations looking for resources.
How to protect your home from rodents
Protecting your home from rodents during heatwaves is all about exclusion. You want to find a way to physically barricade them out without restricting yourself from that precious cooling airflow. Fitting windows and doors with mesh screens is a great way to do this, although rodents can often penetrate and chew through even metal screens, so keep an eye out for holes. Block exterior holes with coarse wire mesh and secure food and wheelie bins.
Paying attention to your garden can also have an impact in lowering its appeal to rodents. Trim back tree branches and climbing plants like ivy at least 5-6ft away from your rooflines and windows.
Rodents are seeking water, food and cooler shelters, so focus on any areas that might offer this. Heat speeds up decomposition, which means stronger odours attract all kinds of pests, rodents included. Ensure all indoor kitchen bins and outdoor wheelie bins have tightly sealed lids. If your bins are damaged, now is the time to request a replacement from your local authority, before you find yourself with a furry infestation ruining your summer plans.
