A: Generally speaking, when the temperatures go up—the bugs come out. It’s when they’re harboraging for food and looking for moisture. When the temperatures go down most of your insects go down, so bugs are more active in the summertime.
While Houston tends to remain fairly mild in terms of the cold, it still has four seasons believe it or not. So, as the weather changes so does the frequency at which we see pests and the type of pests we see.
Some pests such as spiders and ants prefer the warmer seasons while others prefer it cooler and are active mainly in colder months. Then, of course, you have some that are active year-round but may taper off a bit in colder or warm months. Houston pest control is not a service that’s most effective as a reactive response. Rather, a proactive treatment plan that is one step ahead of the pests, is what works best.
HOUSTON PEST CONTROL NEEDS BY THE SEASON
The best way to prepare your home does depend on the season. However, a foolproof approach is to sign up for a preventative pest control plan that treats your home regularly. If you opt to treat based on the seasons, we’ve compiled a general guide as to which pests you’ll see in each season.
Spring
The springtime is busy for Houston pest control companies such as Champions. The winter has melted away, flowers are blooming and new growth is coming to life. Another thing is happening though—pests are emerging from their winter hideouts.
Some common pests you can expect to encounter in full effect during the spring season include:
- Ants: They go in search of food when it’s warmer vs. the colder months. The warmer it gets, the further they will travel from their colonies. Eventually, this will lead them to encroach on your home.
- Termites: Spring is when termites abandon their nests and venture off to create new colonies. This is referred to as “swarming” and often, if you’re not proactive they may start one under your house.
- Mosquitoes: All the downpours in spring create the perfect conditions for mosquitoes to breed. Mosquitoes breed in spring to reach their peak in summer which is their main season as anyone with shorts on in Houston can tell you.
- Flies: Flies mature right at the beginning of the spring season and once they mature they swarm to wherever humans are. Since flies have a limited digestive system they prefer liquids with high sugar content or soft sweets.
- Spiders: Spiders emerge in spring ready to feast on all the increased bug activity as it makes for easy hunting.
- Stinging Insects: Wasps, bees, yellowjackets, and other stingers wake up from their winter hibernation in spring. As the weather gets warmer their activity increases and the mating season kicks into high gear.
- Bed Bugs: While bed bugs are a problem all year long, their population tends to spike in spring. This is due to increased travel on spring break to various hotels and other lodging. People bring back bed bugs in luggage and other personal items.
Summer
Because Houston summers are brutally hot, we do get a bit of a small break from some pests between June and August. However, that’s quite the opposite for some pests—they actually flourish during the summer.
Some common summer pests Houston pest control companies get called for most often include:
- Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are one of the most dominant pests of summer. Because the weather is almost always above 85°, they advance through their life cycle much faster, so they lay more eggs. Summer storms also create constant breeding pools for these pesky insects.
- Stinging Insects: As they prepare in spring—wasps, bees, and the like hit their peak stride in summer. Populations are highest around July, and they love to use your overhangs to build their nests. Watch your six is an understatement—especially with yellowjackets.
- Ants: Ants also push strong in summer and are forced to migrate when summer rains roll through. They will seek higher ground and new food sources, often in your home.
- Flies: Flies are flat out at biblical plague levels the past few summers and seem to have gotten quite aggressive. Summer is their peak breeding season, and they are relentless no matter how many you zap or swat.
- Termites: Termites are most destructive in the summer months. The queen continues to lay eggs to build the colonies so they must consume more wood to sustain the activity.
- Bed Bugs: Bed bugs, the champion of the pest world for being able to survive all temperature extremes. They really thrive in summer though due to so many traveling for summer vacations.
Fall
Fall is preparation time for winter for many species of pests. The temperatures begin to cool but not so much that pests hibernate. Rather, they scout locations for a winter shelter and warm spaces, often your homes.
Some examples of the pests that will interact with humans more often out of necessity are:
- Cockroaches: Cockroaches, while one of the most resilient pests, cannot survive in the elements of winter. Therefore, they migrate indoors to ride out the colder months in your heated homes, garages, and other structures. Typically, they are fond of pipes and drains as it’s a water source.
- Spiders: Spiders are also common in the fall for the same reasons as cockroaches. They will move indoors to avoid the harsh colder temperatures, as well as in search of food as many of the flying insect populations decline as the weather cools. Spiders also breed in the fall so activity will increase as males go in search of mates.
- Rodents: Mice, rats, and other rodents don’t do well in winter either. Often, they will try to get in your attic or garage and build a nest and scour your home for food and water.
- Fleas: Rodents bring stowaways with them—fleas. They are covered in them, but fleas don’t do well in the cold either. So, they hitch a ride on rodents and your pets as well. They feed on blood so they also get a free meal on these animals.
Winter
While many pests take a break and go dormant for the winter you can’t let your guard down. Many pests don’t hibernate so they’re desperate to find food, warmth, and shelter. Pests that you may see trying to camp in your home include:
- Rodents: Mice, squirrels, and rats are the most common pests you’ll run into during the colder months. They come seeking a warm place to build a nest and sustenance— usually in your attic.
- Roaches: While most cockroach variants die from the winter cold two dominant species endure the winter. Oriental and German cockroaches are often found seeking dark and moist areas such as under rotting foliage.
- Bed Bugs: This is getting a bit repetitive, right? Bed bugs are here with us always, they will probably outlive us all. Just get used to always being vigilant against the little bloodsuckers.
PROTECT YOUR HOME WITH THE BEST IN HOUSTON PEST CONTROL
There are no guarantees in the world of pests and their behaviors. They are very adaptable creatures and great survivors. No two pests will approach a season the same and some years will be different than others.
To protect your home against pests of all species no matter the season you need to be proactive. That means rather than dealing with a pest problem after it’s discovered—preventing it from happening in the first place.
Our Guardian Service Plan is a multi-point preventative pest control plan that protects your home all year long. Preventative pest control is always easier and less expensive than fighting a complete infestation.
Contact us today to sign up and make sure your home is properly protected.
