A hurricane is bad enough but who wants uninvited pests after that?
Power goes out. Flood waters pool up. And winds bust openings in your home for countless unwanted creepy crawly visitors.
Enter the "rafting" fire ants, wily rodents and legions of other urban pests that can add stinging and/or biting insults to whatever injury a storm inflicts.
University of Florida researchers have put out some tips for how home and business owners can reduce the threat of urban pests as the floodwaters clear and we pick up whatever pieces Hurricane Helene leaves behind.
“The summer months of May through November are prime time for both storm activity and pests in Florida,” Johnalyn Gordon , a postdoctoral associate in urban entomology at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center , said in a release.
Here are Gordon’s go-to insights on what to look out for and how to manage pests after Helene or any tropical storm:
Flooding makes breeding grounds for mosquitoes
Several species of mosquitoes in Florida will breed in small containers of very small volumes of standing water: This includes species that spread dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses.
Tip: Before the storm, survey your property for anything that might collect rain (especially spare tires, plant pots and saucers, bird baths and garbage cans). Dumping water out from such containers can interrupt mosquitoes’ life cycle and stop them from breeding.
Flooding makes pests move
Flooding makes insects and vertebrate pests seek higher, drier ground. That means more roaches, spiders and rodents crawl indoors.
Red imported fire ants will form floating “rafts.” They live in colonies of tens of thousands of ants, nesting in the ground. They form flood “rafts” by interlocking their bodies and floating until they find higher ground. People encounter these ant rafts — and their nasty stings — while cleaning up flooded areas or when rafts come in contact with a structure.
Rodents and other vertebrate pests also get displaced by flooding, making it more likely they'll venture indoors.
Tip: Ensure doors, windows and any storm-damaged areas are well sealed. Be cautious when dealing with fire ant rafts in flooded areas. After the storm passes, cover any potential entry points caused by damage to prevent pests from coming inside and infesting a structure.
Moisture control is key
Flood-induced moisture problems in a structure also can cause future pest problems, Gordon said.
Termites will readily feed on water-damaged wood.
If termites are discovered, reach out to a professional pest control company as soon as possible.
Trash buildup can be a fly magnet
Post-storm trash and spoiled food buildup due to power outages can lure several different fly species, including house flies, phorid flies and fruit flies.
Tip: Put spoiled food and other organic waste in a bag and secure it tightly. Put it in a trash container topped with a tightly fitting lid until it can be picked up.
Prevention is the key
Post-storm pest prevention and quick action following the storm is key, Gordon said.
“It’s important that great care is taken if pesticides are applied and that all label directions are followed, particularly as they relate to applications near water or to rain-soaked areas,” said Gordon.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: UF scientists give a few tips to prevent uninvited post-Helene pests
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