How Temperature Affects Pest Infestations
Most people have more trouble with pests when the weather warms up. But you may not know what the relationship is between the prevalence of pests, why they infest your homes at certain times, and what you and pest control companies in St. Augustine, FL, can do about it. Here's what you need to know about the impact of weather on pest infestations.
Implications of Being Cold-Blooded
You probably already know that insects are cold-blooded, but what does that mean, exactly? Being cold-blooded means that the insect's body temperature adapts to the environment around it. As the weather warms up, so does the insect's blood. As the temperature drops, the insect's temperature drops as well. This means that, depending on the species, the insect either goes dormant until the temperature rises or the insect actually dies if the temperature reaches freezing.
Temperature for Insect Activity
Insects typically perpetuate their species by laying their eggs in the dirt where they'll be somewhat protected from freezing temperatures. Many of these insects hatch in the spring and are able to survive temperatures as cold as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, many of these insects don't become active until temperatures rise to at least 50 degrees. The colder the weather gets, the more difficult it is for the insects to survive and reproduce.
Migrating Insects
While many species of insects are able to survive the colder temperatures depending on how deep the eggs are buried, some types of insects are unable to survive in the cold weather and migrate instead. That means they migrate once in the fall to reproduce in a warmer climate and then migrate north once the weather warms up in the spring.
Temperatures and Infestations
If you're wondering what type of winter will make it more likely you'll experience infestations this spring and summer, the answer is mild winters. While a mild winter may be more enjoyable while you're experiencing warmer temperatures, it also means that fewer insects will be killed off by freezing temperatures, the insects will mature more quickly in warmer weather, and they'll be able to travel further distances. These factors all mean you're more likely to experience an infestation and damage that requires the help of a pest company in St. Augustine.
