The National Pest Management Association's Bug Barometer is out, and entomologists are expecting high pest pressure from the summer to continue deep into fall.
Hoping to see those pesky, blood-sucking mosquitos fade en masse from our outdoor patios and wooded retreats? Well, according to the forecast delivered by the National Pest Management Association's (NPMA) Bug Barometer, the mosquito populations will remain active well into the fall season for the southeast portion of the United States. For D.C. and Virginia residents, mosquitos, termites, and ants will breed in a wetter and warmer climate, according to the visual posted below. [caption id="attachment_4472" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Infographic of Bug Barometer National Outlook for Fall 2017.[/caption] The fallout from Tropical Storm Cindy, Hurricane Irma, and the remnant moisture from Hurricane Harvey has left the Southeast with conditions apt for the expansion of very specific pesky insects. And the Bug Barometer™ notes that these populations will be at a higher than average level, which may spur organizations and companies in the business of pest deterrence to ultimately plan for more bug troubles across the Southeastern states.
The Northeast did not feel the brute force of the Hurricane season but still has to deal with ticks and rodents, which carry their own diseases. With ticks it can be Lyme disease (backlegged type), and rodents can carry fleas that have the ability to spread disease to humans. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has good information about the specific diseases caused by rodents.
While stinkbugs are an invasive species, they are not known to be a danger to humans. They're known to destroy fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops, according to the PennState fact sheets. But beware: stinkbugs leave a horrible stench when crushed or smashed, so it's always better to shoo them away instead of smashing them or stomping on them.
What do you think? Do you have any tried-and-true solutions for preventing these pests from invading your space? Leave a comment below!