Dealing With Pest Control Issues After Flooding Rains
Recently, our area was shaken to the core by Hurricane Florence and the disastrous flooding it brought. The severe destruction by Hurricane Florence left hundreds and possibly thousands of homes damaged from the storms. It is devastating to watch as our communities begin to work to rebuild their lives and their homes which will cost millions of dollars and take a lot of time.
As if we didn’t have enough to deal with, there is another issue that will add to our troubles brought upon by the flooding: unwanted pests. A common side effect of the abundance of water and it’s damage is the emergence of not only pests but also wild animals that have been forced from their homes by the heavy rains and floods.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of the flooding and are also plagued by the presence of unwanted pests, B&T Pest Control certainly understands. We live in the area as well and have gone through the same problems and we have the tools, the products, and the knowledge to help you overcome the infestation of pests as you begin to rebuild your life after this catastrophic event.
The Most Common Pests That Emerge After Storms and Floods
We are not the only ones affected after heavy storms and flooding. Insects and animals have their homes ravaged by the disasters as well.
Some of us sought shelter during and after the storms, and like us, pests and wildlife will do the same when their hiding places have washed away. Unfortunately, it could be our homes that these pesky bugs seek out as their new home breeding area.
Mosquitoes
No pest, perhaps, is more well known to make an appearance after heavy rains and floods than the bloodthirsty mosquito. While we may be miserable under these conditions, mosquitoes thrive.
Mosquito populations usually explode after hurricanes and other floods. In addition to their itchy bites, mosquitoes can be dangerous because of their ability to carry diseases such as West Nile or the Zika Virus. Mosquitoes annually kill more people worldwide than any other known insects.
Ants
Another infamous pest you may have to deal with after flooding is ants. As the waters begin to recede after a flood, you can expect to find lots of ants. Most all ants that dwell in the ground will be forced to seek new habitat. This is especially true of fire ants. Homes and areas that may have never had a problem may suddenly see these notorious mounds appear.
Rats & Mice
Most of us are used to seeing rodents as the weather changes in the fall, but you can also see an increase in rats and mice after a flood. Flood waters force rodents from their hiding places and they look for shelter on higher ground, which may be your home or garage.
Rodents have survived for thousands of years and are experts at squeezing or chewing their way into dry, secluded areas.
House Flies
Floods can bring rot and decay and bad odors, and that, of course, may draw flies. It could be from items spoiled in the refrigerator after you lost power, dead animals that drowned in the flood, excess garbage, or malfunctioning sewer systems. In addition to house flies, you may experience fruit flies, drain flies, or their larvae (maggots). Cleaning and sanitation will help reduce fly infestations.
Reptiles and Other Wildlife
Alligators and other wildlife prefer living in the wild. However, during times of heavy flooding, they are often forced to travel to unfamiliar areas and could become a danger to you or your family. Be sure to stay out of flood waters and to keep children away from the waters as well.
Mold and Mildew
If your home is a crawl space, you may have experienced flooding underneath. If that moisture evaporates up into your home, it may cause mold, mildew, and other health-related problems along with increasing the threat of pest infestations.
Termites
If your home has been treated for termites and experienced a flooding situation, the termite treatment barrier that was placed around your home may be compromised. Moving water and/or displaced soil can create treatment gaps that may allow termites access to your home and may require a re-application of the termite protection materials to keep your home safe.
A storm such as Hurricane Florence can cripple a subdivision, a neighborhood, and a town. B&T Pest Control knows and understands what you’re going through because we are from North Carolina, our home office is near the coast, and our employees have been affected by this storm as well. We want to help in any way we can through this process as we all try to get back to life as we once knew it. Please, don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns, even if it’s just to ask for advice.