The damage caused by hurricanes has risen in the past few decades. Communities in the path of these unstoppable forces of nature see homes and businesses destroyed. The impact of the natural disaster extends way beyond the day the hurricane hits. It also causes lost revenues, which reduces tax collection that can help provide funds for community services.
Additionally, the downed trees and standing water in the area also result in insects and other pests looking for a place where they can stay safe. And often, it’s the homes of the people who are still reeling from the effects of the hurricane. People whose homes were left relatively unscathed can expect these pests to try to set up a nest in some of the nooks and crannies in the house.
Due to this, homeowners should prepare for an increase in pest populations a couple of days or weeks after a storm hits. Here are some things that these homeowners should do.
Step Up on Your Pest Control Efforts
Before reports of a storm or hurricane come in, homeowners should control the pest population in their properties. They can start by inspecting the interior and exterior of the home. Homeowners should look for potential structural issues in the house and deal with them. These structural issues might worsen when a storm or hurricane hits the area.
With this, they should seal cracks using silicone-based caulk. They should also hire professionals to fix any water-damaged areas in the house. This prevents pests from entering the home through cracks on the wall. Homeowners should also make sure that the landscape around the house slopes away from the structure to prevent water from entering the foundation.
Additionally, homeowners should empty garbage cans or keep the lids tight to prevent pests from breeding in these places. They should also make sure to let professionals control the tick and mosquito population in the house. These professionals have the experience and equipment to deal with these pests before a storm arrives.
Check the Home for Water Damage
Homeowners should also check the house for rotting wood that might attract termites. This is particularly true if the foundation of the house is made of wood beams. These pests can work themselves through the flooring, wood joists, and other wooden parts of the house, which can cause a lot of damage over time.
Removing rotting debris and fixing damaged pipes prevent oversaturation of the soil around the house. When the soil has excessive amounts of water, pests living underground will enter the house seeking shelter. Additionally, homeowners should make sure the landscaping around the house slopes away from the structure. This allows the water to move away from the house rather than pooling around the house, which can damage its foundation.
Eliminate Standing Water in the Property
Standing water serves as the breeding ground for mosquitoes that bring deadly diseases affecting the health of the homeowner and his family. While a storm brings high winds that can eliminate adult mosquitoes, the floodwater it leaves allows mosquito eggs to hatch. So, homeowners should try to address any standing water in the property before and after a storm.
They should check clogged gutters, grill covers, birdbaths, and garbage cans. If they see water collecting in these locations, they should drain the water out. Homeowners should also check the backyard for any pools of water collecting in the ground and deal with them by filling them with dirt. If the yard has a water feature, such as a pond or drainage canal, they should spread environment-friendly larvicide.
Dispose of Spoiled Food Properly
Spoiled food can attract flies and other pests into the house. So, homeowners should get rid of any spoiled food to prevent exposing the family to diseases that pests can bring into the home. They should put spoiled food inside sealed trash bags and deposit them inside a garbage can with a lid. Homeowners should also make sure to seal the lids of the garbage cans to prevent attracting rodents.
If food gets spoiled during a power outage after a storm, homeowners should still put them inside sealed trash bags. They should also ensure that sanitation workers pick up the discarded food by segregating it from other trash materials, such as construction debris. Sanitation workers prioritize the pick-up of common garbage over other materials, especially after a natural disaster. Separating common garbage from other debris ensures that these workers will collect spoiled food as soon as possible.
Pests are extra nuisances when a storm hits an area. To prevent these pests from invading homes, homeowners should take the necessary steps before and after the storm arrives.
