A Buggy Summer Bug Forecast Ahead…
Last week our friends over at the National Pest Management Association released their “Bug Barometer” – a forecast indicating what we can all expect from pest populations this Spring and Summer.
Missy Henriksen – vice president of public affairs for the NPMA – shared her thoughts on the recent findings…
“NPMA’s Bug Barometer is the result of research conducted by our expert
entomologists, who analyzed winter weather reports and patterns from across
the country to determine the pest pressure index each region will experience this spring,”“The events of this past winter lay the foundation for what’s to come,
but the final outcome depends on how the recent weather combines
with temperatures and precipitation patterns in the upcoming weeks.
Understanding what to expect in various parts of the country is
important, because so many of these pests, such as ticks, mosquitoes and
termites, pose serious health and property threats.”
Which pests will pose the biggest threat in our region this summer?
With the help of some very knowledgeable entomologists, we’ll be able to get an idea of which pests may pose the most threat during the warmer months ahead.
Extreme frigid temperatures, along with excessive snowfall in some parts, will likely impact stinging insect populations in our northeast region. The frigid temperatures from this winter may also have an impact on overwintering populations of wasps and bee queens.
The NPMA is also predicting a delay in termite swarm seasons due to the freezing ground thawing out much later than usual. Snow melts and spring rainfall will present problems with greater areas of standing and pooling water. Those “extra wet” areas which will serve as mosquito breeding grounds and will become good foraging conditions for termites, which may increase the populations as spring turns into summer…
What can you do to protect your home and property from summer bugs?
Bees & Wasps…
Bees & Wasps have a different biology and ecology.
Bees (the most common, being honey bees) live in hollow trees, if not kept in a bee hive. They are also pollinators and will therefore be near flowers and shrubbery. Honey bees will sting but their stinger will fall off after, and therefore can only sting once.
The best way to protect yourself is to avoid heavily wooded areas along with areas where there are lots of shrubs and flower plants.
Wasps are longish, slender & hairless. They will typically build their nests on tree branches, porch ceilings, and in door frames.
Normally wasps are not aggressive and generally “if you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone, too”!
However, if they do feel threatened, they will sting do defend their nest.
Best advice is to stay away from heavily wooded areas along with nests around your home or porch if you spot them. It’s also recommended to contact your local pest control professional for treatment options if you spot them.
Mosquitoes…
Because mosquitoes have health risks associated with them, such as West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, and Chikungunya (CHIKV), it’s important you do your due diligence to prevent them from breeding on your property. And because mosquitoes breed in standing water, and their 4, distinct life cycle stages (until they begin to mature and bite) all take place in that same standing water too, it’s important you eliminate standing water and ensure there’s no place where water can collect and stagnate on your property.
Mosquito control is certainly not a DIY project – if you are interested in mosquito control for your property, call us at (856)-753-1401 or (609)-601-9400, and ask us about our signature YardGuard program that will protect your yard from mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas!
Termites…
Termites actually feed on the cellulose found in wood and wood-based products. They break down cellulose (the main component of wood) into usable nutrients.
Once recycled and released into the soil, the resulting components become extremely beneficial to the soil, and to nature.
The problem is when termites being this process in our homes.
They can infest your home by the thousands – even millions – and can cause serious damage to the structural members of your home!
It’s important to get a yearly termite inspection and to even invest in a protection plan from your local pest control company
(like TermiGuard Services & Fenwick) since termite damages are not covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy.
Apply what you know about summer bugs!
Now that I’ve given you the scoop on the bug forecast for this spring and summer season, you’ll know how to prepare!
And remember, when it comes to pests, especially the ones that pose a threat to your health, it’s best to leave it to the extermination pros = )
Until next time.
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