As summer heats up across Southeastern Louisiana, so does the pest activity, and the bugs aren’t just annoying, they’re strategic.
According to Terminix New Orleans entomologist Joe Martin, the summer surge is no coincidence. “The main concern right now is Formosan termite swarms,” Martin says. “The colonies release older termites to start new colonies, and that’s when you start to see them around the lights at night."
Martin warns that swarming season is a crucial time for homeowners to be vigilant. “If you’re seeing them by porch lights or streetlights, they may be looking to build nearby,” he explains.
One tip? Follow the trail. “Observe where they’re coming from. If you see little dirt piles or holes near your foundation, that’s probably them.”
Another heat-loving pest, the infamous flying cockroach. They thrive in humid environments.
“They usually come up from gardens, storm drains, and under sinks,” says Martin. “They’re looking for warm, moist places.”
Of course, no Southern summer would be complete without mosquitoes. With Louisiana’s watery landscape and swampy heat, Martin says we live in a near-perfect breeding ground.
“The best thing people can do is eliminate standing water,” he says. “Buckets, flower pots, old tires, it doesn’t take much for mosquitoes to multiply.”