As the weather starts to cool you will begin to see all of the changes that happen throughout nature in response to the changing seasons. The trees, grass, and other plants all react to the cooling weather by going into dormancy or dying off. Many homeowners are sad to see the changes in the landscape because bare trees and brown grass are not nearly as visually appealing as full trees and green grass. The changes that happen in nature are simply part of the cycle of things and cannot be avoided. There are, however, some changes that come with the cooler weather that homeowners welcome. One of those changes is a decrease in pest activity. Pests react to the changing weather in different ways. Some die off, others go into a hibernation-like state called diapause, while others simply hunker down for the winter. Three of the most bothersome pests that will give you a break once the weather cools include mosquitoes, ants, and stinging insects.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are known for causing big problems at outside events throughout the summer. Their annoying bites can leave you uncomfortable and itchy after spending time outside during the summer. Mosquitoes are not simply annoying, they are also dangerous. Mosquitoes can spread some pretty scary diseases to humans such as West Nile virus, malaria, yellow fever, and encephalitis to name a few. In order to protect your family from the threat that mosquitoes pose you need to be vigilant with your efforts throughout the spring and summer. But, once the cool weather arrives, you will get a break from these annoying and potentially dangerous pests. Adult mosquitoes cannot handle extremely cold weather and will not survive the change. It is important to note, however, that immature mosquitoes can wait out the winter and then pop up in your yard as soon as the weather heats up. Adult mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water where they remain until the weather warms. Enjoy the break from mosquitoes that the cooler weather provides and take steps to prevent their return in the spring.
Ants
Ants are annoying and tiny pests that are skilled at finding their way into your home. Ants have an uncanny ability to sniff out the smallest crumbs or spills in your home. Easy access to food will have them marching in a line across your kitchen floor in no time. Fortunately, ants will give you a little bit of a break once the weather cools. They do not die off but instead head deep underground to wait out the winter cold.
Stinging insects
Stinging insects are a threat throughout the summer. For people with certain types of allergies, they can be extremely dangerous. You will notice a decrease in stinging insect activity once the weather cools down. Some types of wasps simply die off leaving only the reproductive wasps with enough resources to survive the winter. Certain bees huddle up together in their hive and focus all their efforts on surviving the cold. If you have trouble with stinging insects the winter may be a good time to look into ideas for addressing their presence around your property.
Take time to enjoy the break you get from these three types of pests this fall and winter. If you want to look for ways to prevent them from coming back in the spring, give the experts at San Joaquin Pest Control a call. A few proactive steps during the colder months can greatly reduce the pest problems you experience in the spring.
