The Southeast’s combination of warm weather and humidity is extremely appealing to moisture-loving pests. Needing water to survive, these pests seek areas with abundant moisture—often targeting homes or businesses. However, there are some things we can do to prevent pests from making our homes their permanent residence.
The region’s humid conditions attract a variety of water-loving pests, depending on the season:
- Spring (February-April): ants, mosquitoes, and fire ants
- Summer (May-October): fire ants, mosquitoes, ants, and silverfish
- Fall (November): mosquitoes, fire ants, and crickets
- Winter (December-January): indoor nesting ants and cockroaches
Some species of ants, such as carpenter ants, are attracted to moist environments, particularly damp or rotting wood. They can also be found in kitchens near sinks and under-cabinet plumbing.
Crickets
Crickets thrive in moist environments like basements where they can stay hydrated and reproduce.
Mosquitoes require standing water to breed, so that’s why homes around ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water with high humidity levels may experience more mosquitoes.
Cockroaches require water to survive and are often found hiding in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
Rodents are active year round, and are typically found in areas with high moisture levels like basements and crawl spaces.
Silverfish
Silverfish are humidity-loving bugs that prefer dark damp areas like bathroom, basements, and crawl spaces. They feed on mold, organic matter, and even clothing! Check your closets!
How Humidity Affects Pests Around the Home
Many homes in the Southeast are close to various water sources, like lakes, ponds, and marshland. This excess moisture combined with warm temperatures attracts pests and keeps them around by giving them a much-needed water source and place to breed.
Excess moisture can also lead to the growth of mold and mildew. Some pests, such as silverfish, feed on this mold. Additionally, mold and mildew can weaken the structure of homes and create new entry points for pests. For example, termites are attracted to damp wood and can cause thousands of dollars of damage to homes if they find a way in.
Where to Check for Moisture-Loving Pests
Homeowners should be aware of moisture-loving insects, as they not only cause damage, as mentioned above, but can also pose health risks. It’s essential to keep the following areas dry and address any moisture issues to prevent pest infestations.
Attics
Attics are known to collect moisture due to poor ventilation and leaks, making them attractive to pests like rodents and silverfish.
Basements
Damp, dark, humid basements are an ideal breeding ground for pests like rodents and termites.
Bathrooms
Ever been spooked by a cockroach in the shower? Roaches and silverfish love bathrooms where moisture often collects on walls, floors, and ceilings.
Crawl Spaces
Leaks and poor ventilation can lead to high moisture levels in crawl space, resulting in mold growth and higher pests populations. Not sure of your crawl space conditions? Our team can help.
Kitchens
Kitchens are another obvious source of moisture in a home. Water-seeking bugs like ants and cockroaches can be found hanging out around sinks, drains, and under countertops.
Laundry Rooms
Laundry rooms may seem like a surprising home for humidity-loving pests but they prefer the warm space and occasional damp floors and areas around pipes.
Getting-Rid of Moisture-Loving Pests
Addressing excess moisture in and around your home is the first step in pest prevention. Here are some steps you can take to control water-loving pests from taking over.
Fix Leaks
Regularly inspect your home for leaks in pipes, faucets, and roofs and fix these leaks promptly.
Inspect Caulking Around Bathtubs and Showers
A small hole or break in the caulk will allow water to seep through. Silverfish often accumulate near failed caulking in the wall voids, under flooring, or behind the tub enclosure.
Use Ventilation
Ensure proper ventilation in areas where moisture is prevalent like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. You can use exhaust fans or open windows to increase ventilation and airflow.
Control Humidity
Dehumidifiers can help control humidity levels in rooms of your home with a lot of moisture, like basements and crawl spaces.
Keep Surfaces Dry
Wipe down surfaces where water tends to collect to prevent pests from being attracted to the area.
Address Standing Water
Walk the perimeter of your home and eliminate standing water, such as water that has collected in flowerpots, birdbaths, and gutters. This will help reduce the number of mosquito breeding grounds.
Maintain Gutters
Keep gutters and downspouts clean and in good condition to prevent water from collecting around your home’s foundation.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
Seal any cracks or gaps around windows, doors, and pipes to keep pests outside.
Keep Humidity Levels Low
You can reduce the humidity in your home by using a dehumidifier or circulating the air with fans. Dehumidifiers are especially useful in basements.
When to Call in the Local Pest Pros
If you’ve done all these things and pests are still popping up around your home, it’s time to call in your local Terminix professionals.
Whether it’s gutter protection, vapor barriers, replacing broken foundation vents, drainage systems, or a complete crawl space encapsulation and dehumidification, our team will find the right solution to keep water-loving bugs out of your home for good.
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