Bug Infestations and Humidity: What You Need to Know

It’s summer as I write this, which means hot temperatures and humid climate throughout the United States. It also means bugs. These two can be closely related, and we’re here to help you understand the problem and fix it.

California has its share of humidity problems - both too humid and too dry - depending on the region and time of year. As heating and cooling specialists, we’re not climate experts in the traditional sense, but we are home climate experts and have ample experience managing humidity for homeowners here in the Sacramento area.

Humidity control can be the single biggest factor in managing bug problems long-term. Let's find out why, and also what you can do about it.

What Causes Moisture in the Home?

Ambient moisture in the air is not something that can be eliminated, and indeed it’s a good thing that we don’t have completely dry air. However, a variety of weather and climate-related factors can lead to a rise in humidity.

Heat - which is often synonymous with humidity - in the home also rises. And so a lot of times the biggest problem areas are master bedrooms and other upstairs rooms. These are the furthest from your air conditioner and also trap a lot of that rising moisture.

Lastly, leaky pipes, basement walls that allow water in, and heavy rainfall can all contribute to home moisture as well.

How are Humidity and Bug Infestations Related?

The tiniest bugs are not visible to the human eye. These microscopic invaders - and other visible but tiny bug types - absorb ambient moisture through their skin. Think of it as collecting water on their body before absorbing it, rather than walking up to a watering trough to drink.

At higher humidity levels, these bugs can thrive and proliferate in your home.

These microscopic bugs then provide a food source for larger bugs. If you see a lot of spiders, centipedes or cockroaches, for example, it might actually be because they have an ample food supply in your home because it’s too humid.

Even some harmless but annoying bugs such as springtails are attracted to sources of moisture in the home, usually collecting near kitchen sinks or bathrooms and other plumbing. Strategies to eliminate these bugs vary, but one constant recommendation for all of them is humidity control.

What’s the Ideal Home Humidity?

Anything between 30% and 60% relative humidity is acceptable in a home, with most expert sources citing 40-50% as the ideal. Any higher or lower and you risk a host of problems.

For our purposes here, we’re worried about the higher levels, since that’s when bug problems can get worse. Anything over 60%, you’re inviting the issues mentioned above.

To actively combat a bug infestation, you may need to reduce humidity levels well below this 60% threshold. However, as a general rule of thumb, anything inside that range is usually safe from the worst problems that humidity can cause.

How Can HVAC Help With Humidity?

Air conditioning is humidity removal, full stop. We think of it as cooling our air, and it does (via heat removal). But a large part of this process is the removal of humidity from the air in your home and expelling it outside.

So the strength of your air conditioning is the single biggest factor in how good your home will be at removing excess humidity.

This often isn’t enough for problem areas that deal with excessive humidity. In these instances, supplemental solutions should be considered:

1. Whole-home dehumidifiers can be installed by HVAC companies, either free-standing (usually in the basement) or attached to your ductwork.
2. Traditional basement dehumidifiers can be purchased from big-box stores or online retailers. These units won’t provide the same level of control that a whole-home solution will, but it’s better than nothing.
3. Air conditioner upgrades - from single stage to two-stage or variable speed - can make your system more efficient at maintaining humidity levels.
4. Many smart thermostats monitor humidity levels and can interact with humidity-controlling products to keep your home within a target range.
5. Regular tune-ups will prevent your system from having to work even harder in the hottest months, and can avoid costly breakdowns at the worst times.

Not every home needs these supplemental solutions. Particularly if you don’t have a basement, or you live in an area where low humidity is a bigger problem, you may never experience these issues.

However, for a large percentage of Americans, these are items you should consider when upgrading your home heating and cooling.

Other Fixes For Humid Homes and Bug Infestations

Air conditioning alone can’t solve all humidity problems. There are other potential causes of moisture in the home that could be the root cause of your problem:

1. Plumbing leaks
2. Leaky or cracked windows
3. Loose or cracked siding, floorboards, or other elements facing the outside of your home
4. Decaying organic material around the home
5. Lack of waterproofing in the basement

That list isn’t exhaustive, but even great humidity removal won’t be able to keep up with a home that is letting in a lot of moisture. Upgrading your windows, waterproofing your basement, or having your plumbing checked could be the simplest solution to your problems.

Humidity control also isn’t everything. In fact, it’s more a preventative measure than a way to get rid of bugs immediately.

To that end, if you’re having recurring bug problems, calling a licensed professional exterminator or pest control service is the most surefire way to get the removal methods you need.

The internet is replete with advice for removing pests from your home, so there are also a ton of DIY solutions that you can try, either with store-bought pest control products or household items. We can’t assess those here, but suffice to say you have options to help control bugs that go beyond just controlling humidity.

However, proper humidity control is often the single best way to prevent further incursions once you’ve eliminated problems. Investing in your home’s humidity control can help you rest easier over the long haul.

Upgrade Your Humidity Control Today

If you’re looking for a sign to do something proactive about humidity OR bugs in your home, this is it.

And the best part is, you can get a home audit and quotes for everything mentioned above, absolutely free! CABS Heating and Air Conditioning are experts in home humidity control and can help you figure out the best solution to your home. Honest quotes, expert service, and workmanship guarantees. We want to earn your business for life, and it starts with a phone call and conversation with one of our friendly staff.

What are you waiting for? Call today!