Spring showers might bring beautiful flowers, but they did you know they can also bring a lot of bugs into your home? Many people notice more insects inside during rainy springs and understanding why this happens and what can be done about it can help keep your home bug-free this year.

Why Do Bugs Come Inside?

When it rains a lot in the springtime, the ground gets soaked. Bugs that live in that soil, bugs like ants and spiders, will need to find drier places to stay when they are flooded out of their home soil. The inside of a house offers a dry, warm, and safe home for these bugs. This is why it seems like there are more insects inside after a lot of rain but it is not the only reason. Another one is that rain can wash away food sources for bugs. Bugs come inside looking for crumbs, food scraps, and even garbage. The search for food and shelter drives bugs to move indoors, where they can find plenty of both.

What Kinds of Bugs Might Come Inside During a Rainy Spring?

Different bugs come inside during a rainy spring. Ants are one of the most common. They live in large colonies and can easily move into houses through tiny cracks and holes. Once they find food, they leave a scent trail for other ants to follow, which is why you might see them in long lines. Spiders also look for dry places during heavy rain. They can sneak inside through small openings and set up webs in corners and ceilings. Cockroaches are another bug that seeks out human homes during wet weather. They are attracted to moisture and food and can hide in dark places like under sinks and behind appliances. Centipedes and millipedes are also drawn indoors by the rain as they usually live in the soil but will enter homes to escape flooding. Centipedes are generally harmless but can be unsettling to see inside.

What Can Be Done About It?

To keep bugs out during a rainy spring, there are several steps you can take. First, check for any cracks or gaps around your windows, doors, and the foundation of your house. Seal these entry points to prevent bugs from coming inside. Use weather stripping around doors and windows to also help keep bugs out. Keep your home clean and crumb-free. Bugs are attracted to food, so wiping down counters, sweeping floors, and taking out the trash regularly are a must. Store food in sealed containers and clean up spills right away to avoid attracting insects. In cases where bugs are still a problem, use insect traps or call commercial pest Control in Treasure Valley. When you are out of other options or don’t like dealing with creepy crawlies, professionals can help get rid of the insects and keep them from coming back.

A rainy spring doesn't have to mean a house full of bugs. Understanding why insects come inside and taking steps to prevent them can help keep a home comfortable and bug-free all season long.