On September 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida, near the city of Perry. The Category 4 storm swept through the state and up the coast, making it all the way to Tennessee before dissipating.

In its wake, it left more than 100 people dead, countless more injured and racked up billions of dollars of damages. Even before it arrived, schools, universities, airports and theme parks in our area closed.

Even the far reaches of our state were affected by storm surge, high winds and near record rainfalls, ranging anywhere from 10-14 inches within the path of the storm.

We still remember the devastation that came along with Hurricane Ian just 2 years ago – as many on the barrier islands still struggle to put their lives back in order. Along with our close neighbors on the Gulf Coast, our prayers are with people in Georgia, the Carolinas, Kentucky and Tennessee, as the flood waters begin to subside.

With Floods Come Bugs

As if dealing with water damage and impassable roads is not enough, when the waters rise, they bring a whole slew of creepy crawlies out into the open. Ants, roaches, wasps, flies, and of course, mosquitoes all rise up during these times. Some may be flushed out of your home, but more end up invading your home – or at least trying to.

Invasive Red Imported Fire Ants are a problem throughout the year, but they take on interesting behaviors when their nesting areas become flooded. Much like Rose in Titanic, the fire ants try to find a way to float to safety – but not an old door or piece of wood.

Fire ants will literally cling to each other to form a living raft, floating on the flooded area. And they often aim for your house. Your best defense is to squirt some liquid dish soap into the water in their path. Much like it breaks up grease, the soap shatters the ants’ bonds and they all separate into the water.

Cockroaches and flies can make a terrible situation even worse. You’ve already got flooding, water damage and, in many cases, the loss of electricity, which affects refrigeration and climate controlled dry storage. Now add to it flying or crawling insects dragging disease along with them. And these bugs have more opportunities than usual with loose trash and sometimes even sewage floating around.

As the waters recede and local cleanup crews work, help yourself and them out by righting trash cans and making sure the lids are tight. You can also hang fly strips or traps outside your home to hopefully catch them before they make it inside.

And when the time is right, call a professional.

Water Drains, But Bugs Persist

When the floods are all but over, there are still some insect issues. Our favorite Florida flyers, mosquitoes, need standing water to lay their eggs. Imagine the field day they’re having right now.

Once the water dries up, the eggs lay dormant – until they get wet again. We’re still in the midst of hurricane season which means more rain is on the way sooner rather than later. Do what you can in the coming days and weeks to minimize the standing water around your home. Some you may not be able to reach, but keep an eye on pet dishes, birdbaths, planters and flower pots.

The other thing you’ll want to watch out for is rodents. They’ve also had their habitat displaced and will move to the nearest “safe” haven for them. It might be your house, or it might just be piles of debris left by the storms or the cleanup crews.

Wasps and flies also can find a temporary home here, so be careful even as you try to clear stuff away. Bees only sting when threatened – wasps are not as particular. Wear gloves and long sleeves and pants when clearing debris.

You’ll also want to check for water damage and repair or close up any potential access points to your home from outside. If you’re not already one of our family of clients, now would be a good time to join, as one of our first priorities is seeking out these ingress areas that many homeowners don’t even consider.

For our Go Green Perimeter Plus, as well as our Term Assure 365, we inspect your home and seal all entry points. Then we treat everything with the greenest, most effective solutions we’ve found, keeping it safe for your family. For more details, or to schedule your first appointment, don’t delay, give us a call today!

Oh, and if you need other assistance, remember that FEMA is ready to help. Find more details here.