How to Know Which Insects Will Appear in Your Home and Garden This Summer
For now, we know the cicadas will end their 17-year hibernation period and will take over most of the United States this spring and summer. But if you thought they were the only insects that came to visit us during the warmer months, think again.
To help us navigate the insects that come our way, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) has released its biennial Bug Barometer . Here are their predictions for the types of insects that will appear in homes and gardens around the country this summer.
Summer Insect Forecast 2021
The warm and humid weather forecast for much of the country in spring and summer is likely to mean a dramatic increase in insect populations across the country, according to a group of entomologists at NPMA.
So what awaits us in the summer of 2021? Per Jim Fredericks, Ph.D. , chief entomologist of NPMA:
“While warm weather provides a much-needed respite from the harsh cold weather most of the US has experienced this winter, it unfortunately also causes increased pest pressure, especially when combined with excessive rainfall. As much of the country moves towards hot, rainy springs and summers, disease vectors such as ticks and mosquitoes will have ideal conditions for populations to thrive. Other moisture-loving pests such as termites, ants and cockroaches may also face a population boom, so pest prevention and personal protection are paramount to safety. ”
Having survived over a year of a global pandemic, the last thing you want to deal with this summer is disease-carrying insects like ticks and mosquitoes. Unfortunately, we are likely to see an increase in insect populations in the Northeast and Midwest.
To limit exposure to ticks and mosquitoes, Fredericks recommends applying an EPA-registered insect repellent containing at least 20% DEET before spending time outdoors.