Britain is currently dealing with another heatwave. Along with this unusually hot weather, we’re also experiencing a devastating drought. In fact, according to experts, it’s the driest year for nearly a century, with the driest July since 1911. Why this is happening is highly speculated on. It is widely thought that the biggest factor is the increasing havoc played by global warning. But here’s the real question: when it comes to pest control in London, are insects affected by heatwaves?
How insects are affected by heatwaves
Are insects affected by heatwaves? The answer is yes and no. You see, just like humans, insects deal with extreme temperatures in different ways. For example, some do perfectly well, while others struggle.
What you should also understand is that most insects are cold-blooded. This means they are not self-heated. Instead, their body is warmed by the environment around them, and this has different consequences for different pests.
Some insects prefer cooler weather and suffer when it’s hot. These pests may actually die if it gets too warm. On the other hand, some insects love warm weather and actually thrive the hotter it gets. These particular bugs are able to survive extremely hot temperatures. They can move about faster and also breed faster. A great example of this are cockroaches and mosquitoes. These insects evolved during the age of the dinosaur, when the earth was significantly warmer than it is now. You might also notice that some species of flies become more problematic the hotter it gets.
Why insect numbers seem to rise in the heat
One reason for this is that insects often move indoors when it is hot. They do this because homes are generally cooler than outside. Pests can find dark corners which are away from direct sunlight. This gives them a greater chance of surviving.
What you should also understand is that insects are specially adapted to deal with warm temperatures. Many bugs are able to handle extreme fluctuations in temperature, therefore heatwaves do not affect them to any great extent. While some insects may have a hard time in a heatwave, most will survive. In fact, in the majority of cases, these pests actually thrive during warmer weather. For example, summer moths are booming right now.
What all this really means is that you need to take extra precautions during heatwaves. Realise that you’re going to see an increase in insect numbers, and that they’re going to come inside. The best way to prevent this is by sealing up entrance points. This should include all holes and cracks. Also try it keep windows and doors covered with insect netting if you can.