Have you noticed mosquitoes hanging around later into the fall or fire ants showing up farther north each year? These shifts aren’t random, but are instead a direct result of the ongoing climate crisis. As our climate changes and local ecosystems shift, nuisance wildlife and pest patterns move and intensify, creating new challenges for homeowners and businesses and often making existing problems even worse.
If you are dealing with a wildlife or pest problem in your home or at your business in Alexandria or elsewhere in Northern Virginia, contact the pest control and wildlife removal experts at Summit Environmental Solutions today to get started with an estimate at 703-520-5868 or by filling out our contact form!
Warmer Winters, More Survivors
It used to be that the cold snaps of winter would kill off most lingering insects from the warm season, but milder winters caused by climate change reduce die-offs of several insect pests including ticks, mosquitoes, and roaches. Diseases like Lyme diseases can proliferate with ticks staying active longer. With shorter winters that are less harsh, mouse and rat populations are able to thrive, and more of them will come to residential and commercial properties in search of food and shelter.
Extended Breeding Seasons
Milder winters caused by climate change will allow for pests and mosquitoes to reproduce for longer periods, steadily increasing their population. With easier access to food year-round, raccoons and squirrels will thrive, and proliferate well into the winter. This can create a much longer “pest season” where homeowners will have to deal with this, rather than a predictable few months.
Shifting Ranges and New Arrivals
As temperatures rise, more species will begin migrating into new territories that were previously uninhabitable for them:
- Fire ants originally started in the deep south, but these stinging insects have slowly been creeping into Virginia.
- Armadillos have recently begun expanding into more northern states.
- The formerly East Coast-only bullfrog has begun expanding westward.
The shifting ranges of wildlife and pests can create serious problems for neighborhoods that are not accustomed to dealing with these types of creatures.
Food Scarcity and Increased Conflict
As climate change exacerbates droughts and other forms of unpredictable weather, nuisance animals and pests will be driven towards homes and businesses in search of food and shelter. For example, in some rural towns, bears have been seen searching trash cans for food during poor berry seasons. The ripple effect of climate change-caused food scarcity leads to more encounters and conflict between people and wildlife, as well as increased property damage.
Rising Risks to Human Health
As wildlife and pest patterns shift, the health risks they carry can increase as well.
- The increase of mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and rodents can lead to the spread of vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus, Zika virus, and Lyme disease.
- When rodent populations encroach on homes and businesses, they can spread harmful bacteria and contaminate food stores and food preparation surfaces.
- Additionally, nuisance wildlife like raccoons and bats may spread rabies through their bites, and nuisance wildlife can also carry other infectious diseases like leptospirosis and tularemia, as well as parasites like raccoon roundworm.
What You Can Do About Nuisance Wildlife and Pests
Climate change isn’t just a global issue, it shows up in our backyards. The shifting patterns of pest and wildlife activity caused by climate change can often lead to negative effects for our homes and businesses, but don’t worry, there are still precautions you can take. Making sure all the potential entry points on your home are properly sealed and you have inspections done seasonally can protect your home from pests and wildlife.
A trusted wildlife removal and pest control team like Summit Environmental Solutions makes it easy to stay ahead of these problems and protect your home. Call us at 703-520-5868 or complete our online contact form to get started with an inspection today in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax or other areas in Northern Virginia!
