Over the last few years, the UK has experienced a number of serious heat waves. Whether this is due to global warming or some other factor, it is inescapable. The bottom line is that these extreme weather fronts seem to be trending upwards. But here’s the real question: how do heat waves impact UK insects?

How UK Insects Are Affected

The fact is that, just like humans, insects are also affected by high temperatures. In fact, heat waves can have a far greater effect on them than they do on us. While we are able to deal with high temperatures, insects often have difficulty handling them.  They are also affected in other ways.

Changing the pests’ movements

Insects are more active during warm weather. They spend more time out in the world instead of hiding away like they usually do. Anyone enjoying an outdoor gathering in the hotter weather will need to be extra vigilant around barbecue summer insects:

The increase in activity can also be quite dangerous, because it means that certain flying insects can swarm. During heat waves, you may have to deal with large swarms of flying UK insects.

Insects are cold blooded. This also means that during hot weather they are going to look for cooler places. This can include your home or business.

Speeding up breeding

The heat also affects UK insects in other ways. Many UK insects are able to breed more during heat waves. The high temperatures work as a type of incubator for their eggs. This means that the lifecycle of various insects speeds up and they can breed faster.

It also means that during heat waves some populations of insects can explode in number. Any insect that lays eggs will breed more during heat waves. This can include flies, wasps and hornets, mosquitoes and especially cockroaches which spread very fast.

Action for businesses

That being said, heat waves also have pest control benefits. For example, there are many insects that can become sterile during these times. This is according to scientists who recently discovered that high temperatures can damage certain insects’ reproductive organs.

If you’re someone who owns a business, you must be aware of these problems. Because there are increased numbers of insects during this time, you may have trouble controlling them.

It’s important that you deal with this situation before it gets out of hand. Make sure to maintain your business and take steps to prevent pests. This way you be better prepared to cope with pest invasions during a heat wave.