Flood and Hurricane Pest Checklist for Fort Bend Homes

Hurricane season on the Texas coast runs from June 1 to November 30, and Fort Bend County knows what high water looks like. The Brazos River at Richmond set its record of 55.19 feet during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and in 2026 weeks of rain left so much standing water that the county declared a mosquito emergency.

After the water, the bugs come. Fire ants float in on rafts, roaches move inside, mosquitoes hatch by the millions, and rats and mice look for somewhere dry. This checklist covers what to do before a storm, during a flood and in the days, weeks and months after, so pests don’t become the next problem. Print it or save it to your phone before the next storm.

After a flood, fire ants come first: they float in rafts and land on debris, furniture and homes. Large roaches and displaced rats and mice move indoors in the first days. Floodwater mosquitoes hatch about a week later, and the CDC says mosquitoes that can spread viruses can increase 2 weeks to 2 months after a hurricane. Before a storm, seal food and gaps and pack boots, gloves, repellent and dish soap. During a flood, stay away from floating ants. After, dry out, drain standing water, clean droppings safely and watch for termites the next spring.

When do bugs show up after a flood?

Here’s the order pests usually arrive after high water in Fort Bend County. Our guide to Rosenberg flood zones and pests explains each one in more detail.

What we see after storms

After a big storm in the Rosenberg area, the first calls are usually about fire ants on debris piles and around the slab, and big roaches suddenly showing up in kitchens and bathrooms. Mosquito calls follow a week or two later, and rodent calls keep coming for weeks as rats and mice settle into garages and attics. The homes that have the fewest problems are the ones where people dried out quickly and got the debris away from the house.

Before the storm: pest checklist

Do these when a storm is forecast, or better, at the start of hurricane season.

• Sign up for alerts. Fort Bend County’s FBC Alert system sends emergency notices. Text FBCAlert to 888777, or sign up on the county’s Alerts and Warnings page.
• Know your flood risk. Check your flood zone and the Brazos River gauge at Richmond. Our flood zones guide shows how.
• Seal food. Move pantry food, pet food and birdseed into plastic or metal containers with tight lids. The CDC recommends tight-fitting containers for food and water after disasters, and it’s easier to do before.
• Close the gaps. The CDC notes some rodents can squeeze through holes as small as a dime. Seal gaps around pipes, wires, the garage door and the AC line. Screen weep holes; don’t seal them shut.
• Clear gutters and drains so rain moves away from the house instead of pooling.
• Pick up containers. Bring in or turn over buckets, toys, plant saucers and tarps, so they don’t fill with water and blow around.
• Trim branches that touch the roof or walls. They’re a bridge for rats and ants.
• Pack a pest kit with your storm supplies (see the list below).

Pest kit for storm season

• Rubber boots, cuffed gloves and rain gear
• Long-sleeved shirts and long pants for cleanup
• EPA-registered insect repellent with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Dish soap and a spray bottle (for floating fire ants)
• Talcum or baby powder (for tool handles)
• An aerosol insecticide labeled for ants and crawling insects
• Household bleach, paper towels and heavy trash bags (for droppings)
• Snap traps
• Plastic bins with tight lids
• A flashlight

During a flood: stay safe from fire ants

Floodwater doesn’t drown fire ants. Texas A&M’s Flooding and Fire Ants fact sheet explains that colonies come out of the soil and float as a ball or ribbon until they reach something dry. AgriLife entomologist Dr. Paul Nester has warned that floating colonies can “explode” on contact and sting.

• Stay away from floating mats of ants. Don’t touch them with a paddle, a broom or your hands.
• Dress for the water. If you have to wade, wear rubber boots, rain gear and cuffed gloves so ants can’t reach your skin.
• Rub ants off right away. If ants get on you, brush or rub them off; don’t just splash them.
• Use soapy water. Texas A&M says 2 ounces of dish soap in a gallon of water, sprayed on floating ants, helps break them up and drown them.
• Keep kids and pets away from debris and anything floating.

Right after the water drops: the first 72 hours

• Assume fire ants are anywhere. Texas A&M warns they can be under debris, in furniture and under carpet strips. Wear gloves, long sleeves, long pants, socks and shoes.
• Use repellent on your shoes and lower legs. Texas A&M suggests a DEET repellent there during cleanup.
• Powder your tool handles. Fire ants can’t climb a handle dusted with talcum or baby powder unless it gets wet or rubbed off.
• Move debris with a shovel, not your hands. If ants are on a pile you have to move, spray them first with an aerosol labeled for ants. Don’t spray near ponds, where it can harm fish.
• Don’t use fire ant bait yet. Texas A&M says baits are slow and don’t work right after a flood, because the ants aren’t foraging. Wait until the ground dries. Our guide to fire ant mounds after rain explains the timing.
• Throw out spoiled food. The USDA says a refrigerator keeps food safe for about 4 hours without power if the door stays closed, and a full freezer about 48 hours. When in doubt, throw it out. Bag it tightly and get it to the curb, because spoiled food and wet trash breed flies and attract roaches and rats.
• Get wet debris away from the house. Soaked carpet, drywall and furniture piled against the slab give fire ants, roaches and rodents a place to hide.

If someone is stung many times or has shortness of breath, unusual swelling or nausea after stings, Texas A&M says to get medical help right away.

The first two weeks: roaches, rats and mice

• Keep roaches out. Large outdoor roaches move indoors during and after heavy rain. Seal gaps around doors, windows and pipes, and keep mulch and debris away from the house. More on cockroach control.
• Watch for rodent signs. Look for droppings, gnawed bags, and noises in the walls, attic or garage at night.
• Trap, don’t poison, indoors. The CDC recommends snap traps for rodents after disasters.
• Clean droppings the safe way. The CDC says don’t sweep or vacuum them. Wear gloves, spray the droppings and urine with disinfectant or a bleach solution (1½ cups of bleach per gallon of water), let it soak 5 minutes, wipe it up with paper towels and throw them out in a sealed bag outside.
• Store food and trash tightly until the area is cleaned up. If rodents keep coming back, see our rodent control service.

Two weeks to two months: mosquitoes

The first mosquitoes after a flood are floodwater mosquitoes. The CDC says they hatch in large numbers right after flooding and mostly don’t spread viruses. The ones to worry about come later: mosquitoes that can spread viruses such as West Nile may increase 2 weeks to 2 months after a hurricane, especially in areas that didn’t flood but got more rain than usual.

• Drain standing water every week. Buckets, tarps, tires, toys, clogged gutters, plant saucers and low spots in the yard. Water that stands for a week can breed mosquitoes.
• Wear repellent during cleanup, especially in the evening and at night.
• Fix torn window and door screens, and keep doors closed if the power is out and windows are open.
• Report heavy activity. Call Fort Bend County Mosquito Control at 281-238-3001. Our Fort Bend County mosquito spraying guide explains who sprays where and how to report.
• Treat the yard if mosquitoes stay heavy after you’ve drained what you can. See our mosquito control service.

Weeks after: flies

House flies breed in spoiled food, wet trash, soaked animal feed and manure. If flies show up in large numbers after a storm, find the source and get rid of it. Bag food waste tightly, rinse out trash cans and clear wet feed from barns and sheds. If they keep coming, see our fly control service.

Months after: termites

Termites are the slow problem. Wet soil and wet wood favor subterranean termites, and their damage stays hidden inside walls.

• Dry out the house. Remove soaked drywall, insulation and flooring, and get the structure dry as quickly as you can.
• Keep wood off the ground. Don’t leave flood-damaged lumber, firewood or debris piled against the slab.
• Fix drainage. Make sure water drains away from the foundation, and fix leaks.
• Watch for swarms next spring. In Fort Bend County, Formosan termites swarm at night in late spring and early summer and are drawn to lights. Native subterranean termites swarm in the daytime from late winter through spring. Winged insects coming out of a wall, a window sill or a light fixture are a sign to call.
• Get an inspection if your home took on water. Our termite control page explains what we check.

Did you stay in a shelter or with family?

Texas A&M’s urban entomologist has noted that bed bugs can show up where many people share close quarters. When you get home, check suitcases, bags and bedding before you bring them inside, and wash and dry clothes on high heat. If you notice bites or small blood spots on sheets, see our bed bug treatment page.

FAQ’s

Why are there so many bugs after a flood?

Floodwater pushes insects and rodents out of the ground, drains and fields, and they move to the nearest dry place, often your home. Standing water then breeds mosquitoes, and spoiled food and wet debris feed flies, roaches and rats.

How long do bugs last after a hurricane?

Fire ants, roaches and rodents show up in the first days. Floodwater mosquitoes hatch within about a week, and the CDC says mosquitoes that can spread viruses may increase for 2 weeks to 2 months. Termite damage from wet wood can show up months later.

Do fire ants drown in floodwater?

No. Texas A&M says floodwater won’t drown fire ants. Colonies float as a ball or ribbon until they reach something dry, then rebuild mounds once the water drops.

How do you get rid of storm bugs?

Dry out, drain standing water every week, bag spoiled food and trash, seal gaps around the house and get wet debris away from the slab. For fire ants, wait until the ground dries before using bait. For an active infestation, call a licensed professional.

Should I spray for bugs before a hurricane?

Usually not. Texas A&M advises against applying fire ant treatments when rain is likely soon after, and heavy rain can wash outdoor products away before they work. It’s more useful to seal gaps, store food tightly, clear gutters and pick up containers before the storm, then treat once the weather clears.

Who do I call about mosquitoes after a flood in Fort Bend County?

Report heavy mosquito activity to Fort Bend County Mosquito Control at 281-238-3001. Inside Rosenberg city limits, you can also call the city’s Citizen Relations line at 832-595-3301.

Pests after the storm?

We help homeowners across Rosenberg and Fort Bend County get pests under control after high water. Call (281) 549-0821 24/7, including right after a storm, for a free inspection and a written price before any work starts. Our emergency pest control team offers same-day service when you call before noon. Or learn more about our pest control in Rosenberg.