Storm Prep 101: Safeguard Your Home from Rain, Humidity & Pests

Summer storms—and sometimes hurricanes—are a familiar part of life in Hampton Roads. While they can bring relief from the heat, they also introduce serious challenges for your home, especially when it comes to moisture buildup and pest invasions. Heavy rains, high humidity, strong winds, and flooding caused by hurricanes create perfect conditions for pests to move in and cause damage. That’s why preparing your home ahead of storm season, including hurricane season, is essential to protect your property and keep your family comfortable.

At Getem Services, we help Hampton Roads residents manage pests and the moisture issues that often lead to infestations. Here’s a deeper look at how storms affect pest behavior—and what you can do to prepare and protect your home.

Storms Create the Perfect Storm for Pests

Heavy rain, high winds, and flooding don’t just cause property damage—they also disrupt the environment around your home. Saturated soil, pooling water, and structural damage all make it easier for pests to find their way inside or reproduce rapidly on your property. Many bugs and rodents are opportunistic, and when their natural habitat becomes unlivable, your crawl space, attic, or kitchen may start looking pretty appealing.

Mosquitoes are one of the most immediate concerns after a storm. Any leftover standing water—from puddles, clogged gutters, or flooded lawn areas—becomes a mosquito breeding ground within days. Termites and carpenter ants take advantage of moisture-softened wood, while cockroaches and ants often relocate indoors to escape wet conditions.

Moisture Damage Lingers Long After the Rain

A hidden issue after a significant weather event is the rise in indoor moisture levels, especially under the home. Even if your crawl space didn’t flood, elevated humidity caused by saturated soil and poor ventilation can linger for weeks. That’s enough time to attract silverfish, cockroaches, wood-destroying insects, and mold.

At Getem, we offer crawl space moisture control solutions that address this problem. Our team performs thorough inspections and installs vapor barriers, dehumidifiers, and other solutions to help you manage moisture and reduce pest pressure from the ground up.

Common Post-Storm Pests in Hampton Roads

While every property is different, we often respond to a sharp increase in the following pests after severe weather events:

• Mosquitoes: Lay eggs in stagnant water left behind by rainfall and flooding.
• Ants: Abandon saturated nests and move indoors seeking dry shelter and food.
• Cockroaches: Gravitate toward moist, dark areas such as crawlspaces, laundry rooms, and basements. Of course, kitchens are a roach hot spot as well.
• Termites and carpenter ants: Exploit storm-damaged wood, particularly around foundations, decks, and siding.
• Rodents: Displaced by flooding and wind damage, rats and mice often sneak into attics or garages after storms.

Spiders may become more active indoors, not because they’re directly storm-affected, but because they follow the bugs they prey on.

Vulnerabilities You Might Not Notice

Storms can cause structural changes to your home that open the door to pests. Roof damage, broken vents, cracks in the foundation, and lifted siding all provide entry points that bugs or rodents can exploit. If you notice warping, water stains, or unusual odors after a storm, it's worth having a professional look for water damage and pest activity.

How to Reduce the Risk

Preventing pests after a storm is all about reducing their opportunities. Here are a few practical steps homeowners can take:

• Clear debris quickly from gutters and downspouts so water can drain properly
• Check crawl space vents and access doors for damage or obstructions
• Repair or seal any visible cracks around windows, doors, and foundation lines
• Keep vegetation trimmed and avoid piling branches or leaves near the home
• Store trash in sealed containers and avoid leaving pet food outside

These steps won’t replace professional service, but they help reduce the chances of an infestation taking hold while you focus on storm recovery.

Plan Ahead for Hurricane Season

Hurricanes bring intense rain, flooding, and wind damage that can overwhelm your home’s defenses.

• Have an emergency plan to protect your family and pets
• After a hurricane, inspect your home quickly for water damage, leaks, or pest activity
• Schedule a professional pest and moisture inspection to catch hidden issues caused by flooding or damage

Getem Services Is Here When You Need Us Most

Storms are unpredictable, but your protection doesn’t have to be. At Getem Services, we’ve been helping Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and surrounding Hampton Roads communities protect their homes since 1922, with solutions built for the region’s unique climate.

We offer a full range of services to help you recover from heavy rain and stay ahead of pest and moisture issues before they escalate:

• Home Pest Control: After a storm, increased humidity and structural shifts can drive pests indoors. Our year-round home pest control plans target house-infesting invaders, from ants and roaches to silverfish and spiders.
• Moisture Control: Crawl space moisture can lead to mold, wood rot, and long-term structural problems, not to mention attract a range of pests. We provide inspections, vapor barrier installation, crawl space encapsulation, and professional dehumidifier systems to keep things dry.
• Termite Control: Termites thrive in damp soil and can become more active following extended rain or flooding. We offer eco-friendly termite baiting solutions and liquid treatments to help protect your home’s structure and prevent costly damage.
• Mosquito Control: Standing water from storms creates perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Our seasonal treatments reduce larvae and adult mosquitoes around your property, helping you reclaim your outdoor space.

No matter what the weather brings, our local team is ready to help you keep your home healthy, dry, and pest-free—before, during, and after the storm.

Stay One Step Ahead of the Weather This Summer

In Hampton Roads, summer storms and hurricanes are part of life, but pest invasions and moisture damage don’t have to be. By taking proactive steps to maintain your gutters, seal your home, manage landscaping, and control moisture, you’re protecting your property year-round.

If you’re concerned about pest activity or moisture problems after heavy rains or hurricanes, the experts at Getem Services are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your inspection and keep your home dry and pest-free all summer.