Rainy season is here in Florida, and we can all but set our watches by the daily afternoon thundershowers.  Along with the excessive amounts of rain during the early summer months, Florida is also known for our wide array of insect species, and they tend to show up most around the beginning of summer.  So, what exactly happens to these insects when the rain falls?

Truthfully, different insects respond differently to rainy weather; however, there are some common traits in their wet-weather behavior that we can use to group them.

The majority of bugs tend to fall under this category and do not prefer rainy weather.  In part, this is because rain can sometimes mean cooler temperatures, and since insects depend on their outside environment to maintain their body heat, cool weather means they move slower, and therefore become more vulnerable to predators and other threats. Additionally, falling rain can collect on insects of the winged variety, and can weigh them down, cause their wings to stick, etc.  That means they could end up being pulled from the air, and consequently drowning or being taken by a predator.  Butterflies, bees, moths, and even certain types of ants and beetles will take cover and ride out the storm when rain comes their way.

Certain types of insects are so small, that falling rain neither bothers nor affects them. Mosquitoes are a great examples of this category.  They are so small, and move so quickly, that rain isn't able to hit them.  If  by chance they do get nailed by a drop of rain, they let it encompass them, and then fall with it, escaping before they hit the ground by using specialized water-resistant hairs on their bodies.  A benefit of being able to dodge the rain is less competition for food and resources.  Mosquitoes can enjoy a full buffet of human or animal hosts without other insects honing in thanks to rainfall.

A select few insect species actually wait for rainfall to complete reproduction.  Rainfall is the "trigger" that lets them know it's time to mate, and they then complete the cycle to ensure the next generation of  their insect family.

Next time you see it clouding up outside, you'll notice that the insects probably took a hike and went undercover.  If you notice that your house became the place of  refuge from the rain when you get back inside, give us a call! 

PEYTON'S PEST PREVENTION

772-321-4023 (Call or Text)