Rainy weather doesn’t just give us the blues, it also affects bugs. Since insects are cold-blooded, their body temperature reacts to their environment. This means that when the weather changes, bugs have to switch up their lifestyle. Check out how different weather conditions affect bugs.
Spring & Summer: Here Come the Bugs
Spring breeze makes the bugs feel fine. After a long winter, bugs are ready to stretch their wings. Warmer temperatures give bugs the energy they need to be active. Bugs awaken from diapause—their form of hibernation—and are ready to search for food and water. This helps them execute their renovations on new nests. Eggs laid before winter also hatch. The blooming flowers make stinging insects especially happy. They eagerly buzz toward flowers in anticipation of the sweet nectar. As temperatures rise and become consistent, bugs embrace the summer months. Ticks and fleas thrive with plentiful vegetation for shelter and many food sources in their backyard.
Fall: I Hear You Knocking, But You Can’t Come In
When temperatures drop and pumpkin spice takes over, you know fall has arrived. Bugs aren’t fans of the cool weather. While some insects, like butterflies, pack their bags for a winter-long vacation, others plan on toughing it out. These bugs are likely to sneak into your home, hoping to find a warm spot. Overwintering pests, spiders, and cockroaches are notorious for using homes to wait out winter storms. Though there won’t be as many bugs scurrying around your yard, it’s important you don’t let your guard down. You can take action to prevent bugs from hanging out in your house. Make sure cracks are sealed, entry points are closed, and the no vacancy sign is lit.
Winter: The Disappearing Act
You won’t find many bugs building snowmen. Most bugs can’t survive winter conditions, especially since temperatures below 50 degrees are too cold for them. This is why they prep in fall. To combat winter weather, bugs hide out in homes or huddle together for warmth. Some also enter diapause—a state of inactivity where growth is paused. The temperatures in winter greatly affect bug populations.
- Mild Winters: Bugs can still be active if temperatures are above freezing. This can lead to higher reproduction rates and maturing of insects. More pests may pop up in spring and earlier than anticipated.
- Inconsistent Temperatures: Periods of warmer weather make pests think that spring has arrived. They start to emerge, only for temperatures to quickly drop. They aren’t prepared, and it can be a fatal mistake.
Wet Weather: Getting Caught in the Rain
Rain, rain some bugs want it to go away. Though bugs need water to survive, too much can cause problems. Some bugs, like honeybees, are forced to seek shelter until the rain passes. The weight of the water is too much for their wings to carry. Other bugs risk losing their homes for a little while. Ant nests can flood after heavy rainfall. When this happens, they have to move to higher ground or even into homes. They won’t head back outside until things dry out. Other bugs love to dance in the rain, especially mosquitoes. They’re small enough to dodge raindrops, and they need water to lay their eggs. More moisture means more potential egg-laying spots.
Dry Weather: As in Bone Dry
Bugs don’t always wish the rain away. Balance is key. Too much can harm some bugs, but too little can be just as serious. Bugs need water to live. When it’s dry for long periods of time, bugs suffer. If they can’t find sources of water outside, they aren’t afraid to move their search indoors. Dry conditions can also harm their food supply if plants aren’t getting enough water. Bugs will head indoors looking for food. When dry weather mixes with high temperatures, things get worse for bugs. They have to relocate to cooler places, and your house is likely their first stop. Basements and crawlspaces are the perfect places for them to find relief from the heat.
Just as weather plays a huge part in your life, it also affects bugs. Since they can’t always have warm and humid conditions, bugs have to find alternative solutions. Unfortunately, homes are typically their backup plan. That’s why we want to help keep your home free of bugs. Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.