No one likes to discover insects in their home, but here in Arizona, it’s all too common! If you’ve lived here all your life you will have noticed that the insects move in not just with the season changes, but with the weather, too. However, if you’re a relatively new resident, you’re likely still getting used to how the weather can affect your unwelcome visitors, so here’s what you need to be looking out for.
When is monsoon season in Arizona?
Monsoon season in Arizona usually begins in the first week of July and lasts until the end of August, but some years it can include some of June and September too.
How does monsoon season affect insects?
With monsoons come insects. Insects are cold-blooded, and cannot regulate their body temperature, so they seek sustenance and safety wherever they can find it.
Ants
During or after a particularly heavy rainfall, ants seek shelter, which often means they find their way into your home, garage, and outbuildings. Of course, once they’re inside, they don’t just wait for the rain to be over – they start exploring and that’s when they’re likely to find crumbs of food to eat and somewhere new to call home. While the little black ants are just a nuisance, fire ants and carpenter are particularly common in Arizona and much more unpleasant to deal with. If you notice ants moving in to your home, or simply close by, make sure you act quickly and call us if you’re unable to get the situation under control alone.
Termites
If you live in an area that is prone to monsoons, you also need to look out for termites. These infamous little creatures tend to swarm in a similar manner to ants. They’re attracted to wood, which softens somewhat when it’s wet, and is then easier for them to chew through. If ignored, they can cause costly damage to the structure of your home, so it’s important to inspect any sign of termites throughout the summer and especially after a monsoon.
Termites aren’t something to shrug off, so make sure you call us for advice as soon as you see them, and especially if you see flying termites near your home.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are also a common visitor as monsoons move in. While less commonly found compared to ants and termites, cockroaches are famously resilient. They are found all year round in Arizona but are much more likely to take shelter in your home during the summer.
Mosquitos
If that wasn’t enough, there is also the threat of the dreaded mosquitoes! They love wet areas and lay their eggs in little pools of water, such as puddles, still ponds, and other “stagnant” water. Many people think that mosquitos only lay their eggs in dirty water, but that’s actually not the case. Any water that doesn’t have enough flow is at risk of mosquito larvae which will quickly turn into the biting flies we all detest.
If you see mosquito larvae, either empty out the water they’re living in or add something like a fountain or air stone to the pond to break the surface of the water and make it difficult or impossible for the larvae to turn into mosquitos and difficult for mosquitos to lay their eggs in.
Insect problems are at best, irritating, and at worst, seriously disrupt your quality of life or the integrity of your home. If you’ve seen the first signs of an infestation, it’s always best to trust a professional with this issue.
At AZEX Pest Solutions, we specialize in remedying your pest and insect problems. We offer a wide variety of pest control services, from termite treatment and rodent control to bee removal and home maintenance. For a free quote or inspection, email us today at info@azexpest.com or reach us here.
