When people talk about Ontario, the conversation often revolves around Niagara Falls, the Great Lakes and other intriguing topics. However, people don’t usually mention the constantly changing Ontario weather conditions. Besides experiencing the 4 seasons, Ontario’s climate is usually predictable; hot and humid during the summer, cold and windy during the winter. Ontario is also scarce for detrimental weather conditions such as tornados, hurricanes or droughts compared to those located closer to the equator. But more and more people are noticing the frequent temperature changes in Ontario.
Occasionally, you get to witness snow and hail during the summer or abnormally warm winters. Many joke about how it’s impossible to dress for a day out because of how drastic the weather can change. One second it’s blazing hot, the next it’s freezing cold. These weather changes can affect more than just a cancelled picnic trip. Frequent weather changes can affect the pest population too. Let’s find out how each type of weather affects pest behaviour and what you can do to protect your home and family.
How Weather Affects The Pest Population
Before we continue, let’s talk about the physiology of insects first. Insects are cold-blooded, which means they can’t produce body heat just like reptiles. As a result, they get significantly affected by the temperature of their surroundings. The nearest weather or temperature can dictate how their population can grow, develop, or move. Places with a hotter climate may see larger bugs compared to cooler climate areas. Let’s see how weather affects insects in general.
Insects During Cold Weather Conditions
When the temperature is low enough, insects will die. This is the reason why they are hard-wired to seek out warmth when the weather gets colder. Some insects hibernate or find shelter when the cold weather sets in. Seeking refuge can mean anywhere from burying themselves underground to invading our homes to stay out of the cold. Spiders, ladybugs, and some cockroaches are well-known home invaders as the cold weather approaches.
The cold weather also makes most insects sluggish, they won’t be able to commute long distances due to that fact. Most flying insects will find it hard to fly, and grasshoppers won’t have enough energy to hop around. So aside from making sure insects don’t invade your home through cracks and windows, you will have little to no problems with insects during cold weather conditions.
How Does Hot Weather Affect The Pest Population
Insects notoriously prefer warmer conditions. So much that they reproduce more during warmer months compared to the colder months. This is the reason why we see more bugs and an increase in the pest population during the summer times. The warmer months also mean the insects get hungrier. This can be attributed to their increased metabolic rates. Their hunt for food can often lead them inside people’s homes in search of a tasty meal. Your garden might also be a hot destination for hungry insects or their larva during hot weather conditions. It’s not rare to see an increase in situations when pest control experts are needed during the summertime. After all, it’s always better to let experts like Action Pest take over when alternate methods are not sufficient enough.
The Damp Weather’s Affects On Pests
When it comes to rain and humidity during springtime, expect to see a boom in the pest population of moisture-loving pests, including termites, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. It’s why we may get more bites after rainfall, or when we’re near bodies of water. Not only do these insects cause damage to your homes, but they are also disease carriers. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, so their population explodes after heavy rainfall. However, insects that hate the rain and flood might invade your home in search of shelters and protection, such as spiders and ants.
Defending Your Home From The Pest Population During Weather Changes
It’s always good to do a routine check of your home and the surroundings when the weather changes. With the information mentioned above, you’ll have an idea of what to expect as soon as the new season sets in. Making sure your home is pest-proof is also one way to ensure that vast amounts of pests won’t be coming into your homes. Installing door sweeps, caulking cracks, sealing utility openings, and installing wire meshes are all effective in limiting the entry of pests into your home.
Consult With Action Pest
However, no preventive measure is 100% effective. If you feel like your home already has a pest problem or is at risk of a pest infestation, you should call an expert right away. By having an expert pest control and management team such as Action Pest, checking over your house, you know you will get the best solutions for your concerns.
If you are located in Ontario, Canada and you think you might have pest issues, don’t hesitate to give Action Pest a call. Call us any time of the day, 7 days a week. Action Pest has over 40 years of experience on its belt, and we have yet to see a pest problem we can’t fix. We specialize in pest control and pest removal services. Once you’ve received a free consultation, they’ll provide you with expert solutions that are best suited to you and your family. Contact Action Pest today, so that we can provide you with a comprehensive plan to rid your home of unwanted pests. We’re not happy until you can sleep at ease without worry about any pests.
