All animals need water to live, and insects are no exception! As we enter the rainiest season of the year, excess moisture around your home can create the perfect conditions for these flying bugs. From leaky pipes to damp basements, certain pests thrive in humid environments. Only 31% of homeowners are familiar with common signs of termite infestations. Knowing the signs of these moisture-loving critters and taking the right precautions can help keep your home pest-free. Here’s what you need to watch for and how to stay ahead of the problem.  

How Rainfall Invites Flying Bugs Onto Your Property

Increased rainfall during the spring, along with rising temperatures, affects the behavior of eastern subterranean termites. This weather can trigger the mating process within termite colonies, serving as a significant indicator of a potential infestation. Winged reproductive termites, called alates, emerge from underground, leave their colony, and swarm the surrounding area during the day in search of members from another colony to mate with. Once they mate, the alates shed their wings and go underground to establish a new colony. If winged termites or just wings are found inside, an infestation in or around your home may be present.

Severe weather can create or worsen ideal conditions that allow termites to become an infestation inside a structure. Excessive flooding may disrupt termite colonies in the ground but can also wash away or dilute chemical termite treatments, leaving a structure vulnerable once again. Vulnerable areas of a structure, once covered, can also be exposed by flooding. After a flood or severe weather, an inspection for termite activity is always recommended. Eastern subterranean termites can fit through spaces as small as 1/16th of an inch!

Common Pests That Thrive in Damp Conditions

Eastern Subterranean Termites

In the Midwest, one of the most destructive flying bugs attracted to moisture is the eastern subterranean termite. This is the ONLY termite species found here in the Midwest, yet it is more than capable of causing significant damage. These insects feed on wood and other cellulose materials, with their colonies relying on a constant source of moisture for survival. Nesting underground in moist soil, they primarily forage for damp wood or other cellulose based materials to consume.

Despite their tiny size, these termites can cause significant damage over time. Yet, only 31% of homeowners take preventive measures to protect their homes from infestations. A colony of 60,000 termites can consume a two-foot long two by four piece of wood in about a year, slowly destroying structures in a way that often goes unnoticed until it is too late.

Eastern subterranean termites naturally seek out wooden structures, especially those with high moisture levels. Excessive moisture around a building often leads to severe termite damage. Several common conditions create the perfect environment for these pests, including:

• Poor drainage or ventilation in/around a structure, contributing to extra sources of moisture 
• Wood in direct contact with soil (decks, mulch, firewood, etc.) 
• Access points/gaps in a structure 1/16th of an inch or larger 
• Water-damaged wood in/around a structure 

Common Myths about Eastern Subterranean Termites:

My house is new, so we don’t have to worry about termites. 

• ANY untreated wood found will be attacked by eastern subterranean termites, regardless of its age. Moisture issues can affect both new and old buildings, contributing to conditions that are conducive to termite activity. At most, 29% of homeowners understand the importance of regular professional termite inspections for their home.

Termites aren’t really in our area. 

• The eastern subterranean termite is the only species found in the Midwest and is also the most common termite species in the United States. Significant structural damage can be caused by this species, and it should not be ignored.

We had a termite inspection when we bought the house, and it was fine. 

• Termites are constantly foraging for new food sources and establishing new colonies. Even if a structure has been inspected for termites in the past, vulnerability to infestation can still exist. 49% of homeowners are NOT aware of the damage that termites can cause to buildings and structures. Having your home or business inspected for termites at least once a year is important.

Ants

Ants, like termites, are also social insects drawn to moisture. They are also very common flying bugs we see every spring. Carpenter ants, in particular, are attracted to damp, moisture-damaged wood and often make nests in it. Unlike termites, these ants do not feed on the wood they nest in. Instead, carpenter ants may feed on fungus growing in damp wood, other insects, and sugary substances. As they tunnel and create nests, a sawdust-like material, made from excess wood, is discarded. The presence of sawdust in or around your home is a strong indication that a carpenter ant infestation may be present.

Like termites, carpenter ant colonies produce winged reproductive ants, or alates, that swarm, mate, and establish new colonies. Spotting these winged ants signals an infestation inside a structure. While both ants and termites swarm as alates and damage wood, their treatment methods differ significantly. Recognizing the differences between these insects helps identify the pest problem more accurately and ensures inspections target the right areas. Here are some key characteristics that distinguish ant and termite alates:

• Ant alates have four wings that are two different sizes, while termites have four wings of the same size.
• Termite alates have a broad waist, while ant alates have a very small waist. 
• Ants have elbowed antennae on their head, while termite antennae are straight. 

Other Pests Attracted to Moisture:

Excess moisture and severe weather can lead to a surge in pest populations, further increasing public health risks. In the Midwest, severe weather in late 2024 and early 2025 is expected to cause rodent and tick populations to rise this summer. Both rodents and ticks act as vectors, transmitting harmful diseases to the public. In the Midwest, ticks can spread Lyme disease, while rodents can carry Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, and pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella. Moisture can allow these pests to thrive and become bigger issues in homes. 

Centipedes

Centipedes stand out with their long, flattened bodies and numerous legs, ranging from 15 to over 170 pairs depending on the species. Their many legs and quick movements make them difficult to spot and easy to overlook. Excess moisture often draws them indoors, leading them to hide in damp areas like basements, garages, and bathrooms. Centipedes feed on insects, spiders, and other small arthropods. Their diet helps control other pest populations, making them beneficial in some environments. While they pose no threat to humans, their sudden appearance and rapid movement can be disturbing.

Millipedes

Millipedes, close relatives of centipedes, often hide under mulch, rocks, leaves, and in basements or crawl spaces. Unlike centipedes, they have rounder bodies with two pairs of legs per segment, creating a distinct segmented look. Moving slowly, they curl into a spiral when threatened and use their many legs to navigate through soil and decaying plant matter. As scavengers, millipedes break down leaves, wood, and other organic material, playing a key role in recycling nutrients. They occasionally eat soft plant roots and seedlings, especially when their usual food sources are scarce. While they rarely damage structures, large infestations can become a nuisance when they invade homes.

Earwigs

Earwigs often seek shelter in areas like basements, bathrooms, and under mulch or rocks outside. These pests are identifiable by their long, slender bodies and distinctive pincers at the rear. Earwigs are harmless to humans, but excess moisture, especially in poorly ventilated spaces, can lead these pests inside. Here’s some signs of earwigs in your home:

• Damaged plants or leaves – If you have indoor plants, earwigs may leave behind ragged holes in leaves as they feed on organic material.
• Small droppings – While not always noticeable, earwig waste may appear as tiny black specks near their hiding spots.
• Nighttime activity – Since earwigs are nocturnal, you may notice them more frequently at night when they come out to forage.

Reducing humidity, sealing entry points, and eliminating excess moisture can help keep these pests from becoming an inconvenience indoors.

How to Avoid Pests that Like Moisture During the Rainiest Season of the Year:

A dry, well-maintained structure is considered the best defense against flying bugs attracted to moisture, such as termites. To prevent moist conditions in your home, the following tips can be helpful:

• Removing any standing water on your property 
• Investing in a dehumidifier for inside a structure 
• Sealing cracks/openings on the outside and inside of a structure 
• Avoiding altogether or treating wood in direct contact with soil 
• Constantly inspecting structures and replacing damaged/rotting wood as needed 
• Inspecting for and fixing leaks 
• Inspecting the outside and inside of a structure for water damage after severe weather 

Severe moisture pest infestations, such as termites, should not be handled alone. If any of the signs of pest activity mentioned above are noticed, a professional should be contacted. Only 27% of homeowners have had a professional termite inspection conducted at their home. DIY pest control products will not address the underlying moisture issues that attracted the pests in the first place and are less likely to be effective.