NORFOLK, Va. - As the heat index reaches upward of 100 degrees, you may find more creepy crawlers inside your home. 
Pest experts said insects and rodents are trying to escape the heat just like we are, and because of that, they may try to seek shelter inside of your house or patio.
Charlie Church with Getem Pest Control said ants and cockroaches seem to be the biggest culprits when the weather gets toasty.
"They need shelter and they need food and they need moisture all the time, and our homes provide those three things for us as well as for them," Church said.
He said their increased activity indoors comes from the fact they are searching for water sources. You'll tend to find them near trickling hoses or an A/C unit's condensation line because the moisture attracts the insects and rodents.
Related: Higher heat and humidity create ideal conditions for mosquitoes
"[Roaches] are multiplying at a huge rate right now, so there's more of them competing for food so they're going to be in your house and ant colonies are getting bigger," Church said.
According to Church, roof rats will make their new homes in your attic underneath the insulation. He said they are trying to find an area that's close to the cooler air.
The consistent temperatures, food and moisture also make your home an ideal place for the creepy crawlers to live.
Here are a few preventative measures you can take to help keep the creepy crawlers away:
- Turn off all water sources around your home
- Make sure there isn't any trash or leftover food that would draw critters in
- Close any openings or cracks in your walls and make sure a cover is on your crawl space
- Spray pesticides around the yard, steps and foundation of the home
