Did you know that because insects are not warm-blooded creatures they can’t produce their own body heat? It’s true! This means that weather is a crucial element that contributes to their growth, development, survival, and behavior.
Changes in weather can affect insect populations, causing infestations. This is especially true when the weather gets hot, there is a rise in precipitation, and droughts occur. Together, these encourage the production of new insects, and invasions also start to rise. Similarly, most insects cannot survive the cold weather, which means infestations are lower.
Cold Weather and Insects
Research conducted by the University of Illinois shows that based on how insects are naturally built, their body temperature is dependent on the environment. Summertime insects cannot survive, grow, or develop if the surrounding temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that when temperatures drop and the cold starts to arrive, insects die. In fact, depending on the species, some insects may actually freeze in cold weather.
Some insects that hatch during springtime can live in 20-degree temperatures. They start to become more active when the temperature rises to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Other insects that live in the ground, such as Japanese beetle grubs and dung beetles, are not affected by cold temperatures because they make their homes 10-inches into the ground. Since most insects cannot live through the cold weather, there is lesser damage to plants and trees.
Insects like the Monarch butterfly do not like the cold weather at all. Hence, they are known to travel to Mexico as soon as fall arrives. Once they reproduce in the warm weather, they will migrate towards the north in the spring season.
Mild Weather and Insects
It must be kept in mind that the intensity of winters is essential to whether an insect population will die down or survive. If the winters are mild, some insects will live on. The warm weather definitely causes a rise in insect populations as they start maturing and traveling further distances. In fact, some insects will travel to lands normally foreign to them and wreak havoc there if they find the weather suitable.
Apart from weather conditions affecting insects, they also affect the enemies of these insects. This means that there are more insect-eating birds during mild temperatures, as well as rodents and reptiles that consume these insects to survive. Even though the weather does play an important role in determining insect population, ecosystem factors, natural predators, and adaptive abilities of insects also play a huge role.
Dry Weather and Insects
Like humans, insects need water to survive. When the weather becomes dry, insects find their way indoors in search of water. These include ants, as well as camel crickets. Mosquitoes also require water to survive. Without a basic supply of water, they cannot breed or lay their eggs. When the weather gets dry, their reproduction is affected, even if they are active.
However, some insects actually multiply in dry weather. They thrive during this time, which is why you might find more grasshoppers and spider mite populations in your backyard.
Wet Weather and Insects
Some moisture-loving insects start to multiply as soon as rainfall occurs and wet weather takes over. These include mosquitoes, cockroaches, stink bugs, and termites. Mosquitoes reproduce by laying their eggs in stagnant water. During heavy rainfall, water tends to remain in the backyard and on roads, making the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Some insects cannot tolerate the wetness. Hence, when it starts to pour, they scurry inside, looking for some shelter. Don’t be surprised if you find multitudes of spiders, ants, and roaches entering your house from door cracks and window cracks when it is pouring outside.
Moreover, the rain can also destroy the homes of many insects. For example, ants and yellow jackets make their homes in the ground. The wetness of the rain soaks through their homes. These ants will then enter your safe space, looking for food, warmth, and shelter.
The Solution
Feeling frustrated with the changing weather conditions and the effect they have on insect populations in your yard and home? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. AntsPlus will provide pest control services to get rid of all the insects that are destroying your food, causing allergies, and bringing sickness into your home.
Our pricing is fair and affordable, and we believe in always communicating with our clients. You can expect transparency, affordability, and top-notch quality work from our team of professionals. In case you are unsure of an insect found in your home, give us a call, and we will provide you with solutions to make you feel safe again.