While Houston residents may be enjoying this fall’s heat wave, they’re less thrilled about the bugs it’s brought with it.
How the Heat Affects Houston Pest Control
It’s no secret why summers are the worst season for pests: Most insects are cold blooded and thrive in warm weather. This unusually mild autumn season means that these two annoying (and sometimes dangerous) insects have stuck around much longer than usual:
Fleas
Fleas have been an especially big problem in Houston this year thanks to a population explosion early this summer that started flea season off with a bang. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need pets to face a flea infestation. Fleas can enter pet-free homes when outdoor animals that carry them get close enough to entryways. Additionally, warm-blooded indoor pests — think rodents and raccoons — can bring them directly inside.
Since Texas recently saw its first locally transmitted Zika virus case in Brownsville last month, it’s more important than ever to keep local mosquito populations low. While mosquito season is a distant memory for most of the country, Houston residents are still getting bit — and badly. We won’t be getting a break from these nasty insects until the first frost. While this usually happens in early December, with this year’s heat wave that date is likely to get pushed back.
Autumn Pests
Warm-weather pests may have long overstayed their welcome this year, but hopefully they’ll be on their way out soon. Unfortunately for Houston residents, now that things have finally started cooling down this December we’re starting to see an uptick in the usual fall pests: cockroaches, wasps, and rodents.
In recent years, more and more homeowners are also facing a new fall pest: the invasive brown marmorated stink bug. Luckily, unlike most other household pests, stink bugs are completely harmless. They don’t bite, do structural damage, or spread disease. However, they can be a big nuisance when they swarm inside homes to overwinter, especially for residents sensitive to their odor (not everyone is).
Preventive Pest Control Houston
For most serious pest infestations in and around your home, it’s best to call in the experts. Whether you are looking for reliable Houston tick control, termite control, or solution to any other pest problem, you can trust Preventive. Contact us either through our website or by phone at 281-973-5630.