Pesty Floods!

Poor old New Zealand, we've stepped into a wet 2023 so far! From Auckland's biggest rainfall to Cyclone Gabrielle, the North Island just couldn't get a break from being drenched. Many kiwi households and businesses have been greatly affected by these disastrous events, and quite a few neighbourly heroes stood up to the challenge. 

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In the aftermath of these floods, the JAE team has been working flat tack to provide our flood restoration services, as well as our pest control services. That's right, pest control. 

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The combination of heavy amounts of water and hot summer weather provides the ideal breeding ground for many local creepy crawlies. You might be sitting there, itching your mosquito bites and angrily agreeing. Or perhaps despite your best effort to clear flood debris from your backyard you disturbed a wasp nest and are still feeling the sting. House full of flies? Bin lined with maggots? Yuck! 

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Don't let them bug you too much though, you're much bigger and way smarter, and we're about to arm you with some tips on taking back control of your living space.

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Mosquitos

So it's 9:30 pm, and you've just flicked off the TV, and snuggled into your cosy bed. You start drifting into dreamland when a loud 'hmmm' zooms past your ear. Not another damn mosquito! You could've sworn you'd squashed them all earlier. 

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Well if mozzies weren't invasive enough during a typical New Zealand summer, the wet post-flood environment has just upped the ante. It's important to remember that any pools of still water are a breeding ground for these pesky little bloodsuckers. Be sure to check your property for any gumboots, buckets, or dog bowls full of water. Keep tipping the water out to rid of any larvae that may be spawning. But no need to worry about your goldfish bowl, your fish will love snacking on mosquito larvae! 

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When it comes to dealing with the fully grown mosquitoes perched on your ceiling waiting to bite you, you can try lighting a citronella candle and rubbing some citronella on yourself to really keep them away. You could always invest in a trusty mosquito net, or simply blast some air at them with an indoor fan! 

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Wasps

Amongst the six-legged insects that love humid weather, are those invasive honey bee imposters – wasps. They're also swarming like crazy due to how green this summer has been, the plants have been producing more sugar. This is not ideal at all, as we very well know wasps can sting us, and attack in a swarm if their nest is disturbed while they are active. 

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This is why when trying to kill a swarm of wasps in their nest, it's best to wait until they're resting. You can go at them at this point with a can of fly spray, but still, stay cautious for an aggressive reaction. Once the wasps have dropped off, clip the nest off into a bag, seal the bag or burn the nest before disposing of it.

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Flies

Much like the pesky mosquito, flies breed furiously in warm wet conditions. Flies prefer to lay their eggs on rotting food and faeces, so any food scraps that have overflowed from your sewage system in the floods will attract them, as well as any food crops that were wiped out and left rotting on the ground. 

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To prevent these nasty critters from breeding around your house, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, make sure your house remains clean, and try not to leave food scraps out – make sure the kids keep up a good practice of rinsing their plates after dinner! Ensure to keep your bin secure and clear it frequently. Flies prefer to stay away from windy spots, so keep your windows open on the windier side of your house.

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You can also make a fly trap: 

• Grab an empty soda bottle and cut it in half
• Fill the bottom half of the bottle with a piece of liver, or just some good old honey
• Invert the top half of the bottle and place it into the bottom half
• Leave this as far away from your home (and anyone else's) as possible 

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While there are preventative measures you can take to keep these swarming insects away from you and your home, we are just a phone call away if it gets too much to handle. Our pest control experts will discuss options with you to determine the most efficient and safe method to get those critters out the door.

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Find your local JAE branch and contact us today!

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For other flood damage related articles, please read our posts on DIY Wet Carpet Drying and Restoration Tips and How to Clean and Dry Wet Furniture.

You can also check our helpful post on How to get rid of ants and How to Get Fleas Out of Your Carpet.

Have other Pest Problems? Read our Guide to Pest Control in New Zealand

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