April Showers Bring… More Pests? How Rain Increases Pest Activity 

When spring rain falls on Long Island, most people think of blooming flowers and greener lawns. But those April showers also bring a less pleasant side effect: an increase in pest activity. If it feels like you start seeing more bugs in and around your home every time it rains, you’re not imagining things. Rain plays a huge role in how—and when—pests move, nest, and invade.

This week, we’re going to break down why wet weather is such a magnet for pests, which types of pests become more active in April, and how Knockout Pest Control can help you protect your Long Island home during termite season and beyond.

Why Do Pests Become More Active in the Rain?

April’s rainy weather can drive pests to seek higher, drier ground—often inside your home. Here’s how it happens:

• Flooded nests: Rain can wash out ant colonies, cockroach nests, and rodent burrows, sending these pests scrambling for shelter.
• Increased moisture: Damp environments are ideal breeding grounds for many pests. Basements, crawlspaces, and wood structures can become more inviting after heavy rain.
• Disrupted food sources: When their natural food supply gets soaked or buried, pests go searching for new ones. That makes your kitchen, pantry, and trash bins prime targets.

April is also the beginning of termite season, which brings additional concerns for homeowners across Long Island.

Termite Season: A Top Concern After April Rain

Spring is peak swarm season for subterranean termites—the most destructive species on Long Island. After a warm rain, these termites release winged swarmers in search of new places to establish a colony. Swarmers are the reproductive caste of the colony. They fly off in large numbers, shed their wings, and pair off to start new colonies. Rain gives them the perfect conditions to do this.

Once termites find wood in contact with moist soil (like deck posts or foundation sills), they can start causing serious damage behind the scenes. And the cost to fix termite damage isn’t cheap—it can run into the thousands if left untreated.

Ants, Carpenter Bees, and More: Other Pests to Watch After Rain

It’s not just termites you have to worry about in wet weather. Several other pests take advantage of the rain to move in or multiply:

• Carpenter Ants: Like termites, carpenter ants tunnel through wood. While they don’t eat it, their nesting habits can still damage your home. Rain softens wood and makes it easier for them to burrow.
• Little Black Ants: These tiny invaders are notorious for showing up in kitchens after heavy rain. They’re drawn to food crumbs and sugary spills.
• Spiders: Rain forces many insects indoors, and spiders often follow—especially if they’re hunting.
• Cockroaches: These pests thrive in damp environments. After a storm, they’ll head for basements, kitchens, or anywhere else they can find moisture.

A perimeter treatment from Knockout creates a protective barrier around your home, knocking out these pests before they ever get inside.

Why Preventative Pest Control Matters in April

A reactive approach—waiting until pests show up inside—can lead to costly damage and pest infestations. Instead, April is the ideal time to schedule a spring pest control inspection. Here’s why:

• Catch infestations early: Stop termites, ants, and other pests before they gain a foothold.
• Protect your foundation: Wet conditions make your home more vulnerable to pest entry points.
• Build a barrier: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies focus on treating the outside of your home—knocking out pests before they enter.
• Tailored to your environment: Knockout’s technicians understand the unique pest pressures across Long Island and develop plans based on seasonal behavior.

Let Knockout Protect Your Home This Spring

If you’re noticing more pests than usual this spring—or want to stop them before they become a problem—it’s time to call Knockout. Our experienced, certified technicians use a combination of science-backed methods, local knowledge, and green pest control practices to protect your home from the outside in.

Contact Knockout Pest Control today to schedule your spring inspection or get a free quote.