TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 9, 2017) – While Florida may be drying out from the heavy rainfall and flooding from Hurricane Irma, homeowners may have a new problem on their hands – pests in their home that are looking for dry land.
“When the ground gets saturated from heavy rainfall, like we saw with Irma, pests are looking to stay dry and the best place to go is often inside,” said Brad Pitts, regional vice president for Arrow Environmental Service. “This is a big problem during the rainy months, particularly following a hurricane that causes flooding and structural damage to homes.”
Following periods of heavy rainfall or flooding, pests such as ants, earwigs, millipedes and roaches will look for cracks and damage to homes as a way to get inside. These “occasional invaders” enter the home when weather conditions have become hostile to their survival.
Mosquitos can also become a big problem right after heavy rains and flooding. Starting a Mosquito Control program and a Preventative Pest Control program during these times of heavy rain is important.
“The best way to keep them out is to seal any possible entry points prior to a storm, then fix any damage to your home as soon as possible once the weather has cleared up,” said Pitts. “Mechanical failures can be addressed with caulk or sealant in most cases.”
Homeowners should also keep shrubbery, brush and tree limbs away from the house, as this can serve as a bridge for insects to crawl onto the home. A good rule of thumb is to keep landscaping and mulch one or two feet away from the home and remove any firewood or debris stored next to home that could become a harborage area. Doing so will limit the entry points for pests.
“In addition, it’s important to keep up with your regular pest control program,” said Pitts. “Hurricane season in Florida is prime time for pests, and the best way to keep them out is to have a preventative treatment plan in place.”
Professional pest control companies like Arrow can treat homes for these pests and make recommendations on how to seal small entry points to keep them out. For more information, visit www.arrowservices.com.
About Arrow Environmental Services:
Arrow Environmental Services is a leader in sustainable pest and lawn services around the Southeast, building on a family tradition established more than 100 years ago. Arrow offers residential and commercial pest control, termite control, insulation services, lawn and shrub pest control and fertilization, tree and palm care, and irrigation services in west and central Florida. We guarantee customer satisfaction to the fullest extent, “period.”
Arrow is one of four brands operating under Tampa-based Environmental Pest Service (EPS). EPS, formerly Arrow Environmental Holdings, also operates Bug Out Service in Jacksonville, Skyline Pest Solutions in the metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, and State Pest Control in central North Carolina. For more information, visit www.arrowservices.com.