After a large storm, hurricane, or severe flooding most people don’t think about pest control. That is, they don’t until they have a problem. It is important to understand the increased threat they cause. Huge numbers of rodents, fire ants, mosquitoes, and other insects will be displaced. They will be looking for somewhere to settle.
Things to do or watch out for:
1. Remove any object from your property that can hold standing water. Mosquito numbers will greatly increase after any flooding.
2. Wear protective clothing if working outside after a large storm or flooding. Use insect repellent on exposed skin. Mosquitoes carrying Zika & West Nile will be a big concern after the storm.
3. Fire ants will hold onto one another and form large floating fire ant rafts. Do not go near them. Even if you aren’t allergic to fire ants if enough of them were to bite you it could be a serious problem.
4. Mice and other rodents displaced by high waters will be looking to make a new home. Don’t let it be yours. Make sure your home is sealed properly. Caulk around windows and doors. Seal entry points like missing crawlspace vent covers, damaged access doors, and around pipe and vent entry points coming into the home.
5. Along with all that standing water will come high wood moisture or even waterlogged wood members supporting your home, decks, porches, garages, and other buildings. This high moisture will attract termites, and other wood eating insects as well as create conditions for mold and fungi to thrive in. Do whatever you can to divert water away from structures or find a way to air out or even pump water out of crawlspaces & basements.
We at Walker Pest Management wish the best for everyone on the coast of South Carolina, North Carolina, & Georgia. Everyone who has had to evacuate is in our thoughts & prayers. This may not affect that many customers in the upstate, but we have a lot of customers around Richland, Lexington, and Calhoun counties.
