Post-Hurricane Pest Control Guide & Checklist

Keep Your Family & Home Safe from Critters by Following This Post-Hurricane Guide & Checklist

When hurricanes are forecasted the way Irma was for Southwest Florida in September 2017 — especially with a mandatory evacuation order — the majority of residents are going to evacuate the area, eliminating the ability to assess the damage done to homes and businesses for several days, if not longer.

But when homeowners and tenants return home for hurricane clean up, what’s the best course of action to take to restore normalcy — from cleaning up the yard to preventing pests during hurricane season?

The threat of insect and wildlife invasions after a natural disaster like a hurricane or tropical storm is a real one. Of course, you want to focus on more-important issues concerning your home and family, like keeping them safe from harm.

Catseye has the solution, and we’ve published this post-hurricane pest prevention guide and checklist to ensure you’ve covered all your bases and that your home isn’t prone to unwanted animal intruders.

Insect populations will be seeking new habitats, as theirs were likely destroyed by high winds and excessive amounts of water. The same can be said for nuisance wildlife, as they too will need somewhere to go following a major natural disaster.

They may try and take advantage of your damaged or temporarily abandoned homes, but if you follow our guide and checklist, you can rest assured your property and family will be protected.

Best Way to Get Rid of Mosquitoes

There are two common species of mosquitoes in Florida, floodwater mosquitoes, and permanent water mosquitoes.

And while mosquitoes are commonly associated with standing water, the belief being that mosquitos must have water to lay their eggs, that is true for only the permanent water species. Floodwater mosquitoes are what you want to look out for after a hurricane; they lay their eggs in damp soil year round and, because of their unique biology, the eggs need to dry out before they can hatch into larvae.

Floodwater mosquito eggs survive in the dry soil throughout the year, and when those areas are consumed by water, it gives the eggs the cue to hatch.

Mosquitoes that are not in the floodwater species are considered permanent water species.

Permanent water mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. The biggest difference between the two kinds of mosquitoes is that if mosquito eggs of floodwater species dry out, they die.

Standing water left behind by hurricanes like Irma provide this class of mosquito a unique opportunity to lay eggs where they otherwise would not be able to. Female mosquitoes will lay their eggs on the water surface and those eggs will typically hatch in about 24 hours.

When you are able to safely return to your property, prevent permanent water mosquitoes as best you can by emptying water from the following common areas:

• Children’s toys or other container-shaped objects
• Boats
• Pet bowls
• Clogged gutters
• Trash cans and overturned lids
• Bird baths

Best Way to Get Rid of Flies & Maggots

Hurricanes that do extensive damage to power lines leave your home especially vulnerable to pests like flies and maggots.

As your refrigerators and freezers sit unable to run, food inevitably spoils and attracts flies and/or maggots, who will use your spoils as a sustainable food source. Once you are able to safely enter your home, all food should be disposed of properly and immediately to reduce the risk of these pests invading the interior of your home.

As a rule of thumb, any perishable food item being stored in a fridge is no longer good to eat after being stored above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours, according to the federal food-safety website foodsafe.gov.

For the freezer, the same rule applies: anything left above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours should be discarded. Thawed or partially thawed food in the freezer may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees or below. Partial thawing and refreezing may affect the quality of some food, but the food will be safe to eat, according to foodsafe.gov.

Best Way to Get Rid of Mice & Rats

High winds can mean downed trees. Downed trees mean it’s likely rodents like roof rats and squirrels will need to find new shelter. And, if your home’s siding or roof are damaged, this can provide an ideal entryway for those pests to take up residence in your home.

Flooded areas of land force ground-dwelling rodents, like Norway rats and mice, to look for low-lying areas along the foundation of your home or business. Water build up can expand cracks in the foundation, providing mice with more than enough space to get inside and begin creating new nests.

When it is safe to return to your property, you can prevent rodents from gaining entry to your home by doing the following:

• Remove any vines or branches that could act like an access highway to your roof for rodents.
• Inspect your home’s foundation for cracks or holes, then be sure to fill them with steel wool, copper mesh or caulk.
• Remove food sources around your property, like fruit, that has fallen to the ground.
• Avoid filling up bird feeders with seed.
• Trim back shrubbery and trees close to your home; this removes potential shelters for rats, mice, and other rodents.

Best Way to Get Rid of Yellow Jackets

Yellow jacket wasps that previously had nests in the ground will be seeking a new site for their colony. And what better spot than your home? High winds are usually responsible for damaging soffits, a key entry point for yellow jackets to get into your home.

Yellow jacket wasps are also known to be able to chew through drywall, building their nests between wall voids.

If you suspect that yellow jacket wasps have been entering your home, you should contact a pest professional to properly eradicate them as soon as possible. It is important that you do NOT seal up the entry and exit points. Doing so will prevent the wasps from exiting your home, and they will try and find another way out, causing even more damage and leaving your home full of angry yellow jackets.

It’s also helpful to remember that yellow jacket wasps can become very aggressive if their nest is disturbed or if they think their colony is being threatened.

Best Way to Protect Your Home from Pests After a Hurricane

There are a few things you can do to keep your home pest-free following a natural disaster like a hurricane. Once you are safely able to return, be sure to:

• Assess damage along the foundation of your home.
• Seal any cracks or holes, paying attention to spots near pipes and utility lines.
• Check to be sure vent caps are properly secured.
• Repair any screened windows that may have been damaged.
• Clear debris from gutters and low-lying vents.
• Remove tree branches within close proximity to your home.
• Clear leaf litter within 20 feet of your home.

Once you and your family are able to get settled into a new routine, please contact us for a free inspection of your entire property to be sure your home and family are still protected. We’re here to help.

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Post-Hurricane Pest Control Checklist

Outside:

• Inspect your roof for missing vent stacks, missing or broken shingles, or holes
• Visually inspect for loose or missing soffits and fascia boards
• Check dryer vent, remove debris if necessary
• Check furnace or boiler vents, remove debris if necessary
• Check your home’s electrical service entrance. It should look as it did before the storm. If it’s sagging or leaning you’ve got trouble. Contact an electrician immediately.
• Check shutters and exterior trim, tighten any areas that seem loose
• Search for hailstone or debris holes in stucco
• Check for water infiltration, including around windows
• Check gutters and downspouts, secure gutters to home and clear of debris
• Inspect windows for holes
• Check for standing water, empty what you are able to
• Be mindful of holes in siding created by storm-proofing materials they will need to be filled
• Hazy glass that looks otherwise undamaged could have a broken seal and will need replacement
• Check for cracks in the foundation, look for bulging blocks, bricks, and soil erosion
• Remove all food from refrigerator and freezers

Inside:

• Beware of snakes, insects and other wildlife that may be in or around your home.
• Before entering your home, check for damaged power lines, gas lines, foundation cracks
• If you smell natural gas, propane, or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and contact the fire department
• Turn the main electrical power and water systems off until you or a professional can ensure that they are safe. NEVER turn the power on or off, or use an electrical tool or appliance while standing in water
• Check the ceiling and floor for signs of sagging
• Open doors and windows. If the house was closed more than 48 hours, let it air it out before staying inside for any length of time