Originally published by The Pest Dude.
Meteorologists across the board are warning of extreme weather in the summer of 2024 across most of the continental USA. While natural events such as heatwaves, storms, floods, and tornadoes are some of the more devastating impacts of extreme weather, an often-overlooked consequence is the increase in bug activity. Although bugs generally don’t cause the same devastating impacts as extreme weather events, they can become a severe annoyance, and getting rid of them can become quite costly for homeowners.
The Pest Dude recently analyzed predicted summer 2024 temperatures and rainfall data from Climate.gov across each U.S. state to determine which pests are more likely to be a problem in each state.
Maryland is predicted to have a much warmer summer than average with less rainfall. This combination is likely to lead to an increase in activity of the following pests in the state: rodents, ants, wasps, cockroaches, beetles, scorpions, earwigs and mites.
Zachary Smith of The Pest Dude breaks down why each of these bugs is likely to be more frequent in Maryland in summer 2024, and how they can best be treated:
Ants:
- Why More Frequent: Warm weather increases ant foraging activity, and rain can drive them indoors seeking shelter
- Treatment:
- Ant Baits and Traps: Place ant baits near entry points and along ant trails to attract and kill ants. Use bait stations that allow ants to carry the poison back to the colony.
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect and seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations to prevent ants from entering the home.
- Maintain Clean Surfaces: Keep kitchen counters, floors, and food storage areas clean and free of crumbs, spills, and food residues that attract ants.
Beetles:
- Why More Frequent: Increased vegetation growth provides more food sources for beetles.
- Treatment:
- Beetle Traps: Use pheromone traps to attract and capture beetles, reducing their population in gardens and homes.
- Inspect and Treat Plants: Regularly inspect plants for beetle damage and apply appropriate insecticides or natural remedies if necessary.
- Appropriate Pesticides: Use targeted pesticides as recommended by agricultural extension services or pest control experts to control beetle infestations.
Cockroaches:
- Why More Frequent: Warm temperatures and high humidity drive cockroaches indoors seeking food and shelter.
- Treatment:
- Cockroach Baits and Traps: Place baits and traps in areas where cockroaches are likely to travel, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect and seal cracks, gaps, and openings around doors, windows, and pipes to prevent cockroaches from entering the home.
- Clean and Dry Environment: Maintain a clean environment by regularly cleaning kitchen surfaces, disposing of garbage, and addressing any moisture issues.
Earwigs:
- Why More Frequent: Increased moisture levels attract earwigs to damp areas.
- Treatment:
- Earwig Traps: Use rolled-up newspapers, cardboard traps, or oil and soy sauce traps to capture and remove earwigs from indoor and outdoor areas.
- Reduce Moisture Levels: Address moisture problems by fixing leaky pipes, improving ventilation, and using dehumidifiers in damp areas.
- Seal Entry Points: Seal cracks, gaps, and openings around doors, windows, and foundations to prevent earwigs from entering the home.
Rodents:
- Why More Frequent: Warmer temperatures and increased food sources encourage rodent breeding and activity.
- Treatment:
- Rodent Traps: Use snap traps, glue traps, or live traps to capture and remove rodents.
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect and seal holes, gaps, and cracks around the home to prevent rodents from entering.
- Remove Food Sources: Store food in airtight containers, clean up spills, and remove clutter that provides hiding places.
Scorpions:
- Why More Frequent: Warm weather increases scorpion activity as they seek food and water.
- Treatment:
- Sealing Entry Points: Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations.
- Declutter: Remove debris, woodpiles, and rocks from around the home to eliminate hiding spots.
- Professional Extermination: Hire pest control professionals for scorpion-specific treatments if infestations are severe.
Wasps:
- Why More Frequent: Warm temperatures increase wasp activity and nest building.
- Treatment:
- Remove Nests: Use caution and remove wasp nests early in the morning or late in the evening when wasps are less active.
- Wasp Traps: Use baited wasp traps to capture and reduce wasp populations.
- Professional Extermination: Hire pest control professionals for safe removal of large nests.
Mites:
- Why More Frequent: Warm, humid conditions favor mite reproduction on plants and in homes.
- Treatment:
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- Insecticidal Soaps: Use insecticidal soaps or miticides to control mites on plants.
- Reduce Humidity: Use dehumidifiers and ensure proper ventilation to lower indoor humidity levels.
- Regular Cleaning: Clean and vacuum regularly to remove mites from carpets, furniture, and bedding.
Created by Pest-Dude • Viewlarger version
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“By understanding the reasons behind the increased activity of these pests and implementing effective treatment strategies, homeowners in Alabama can better protect their homes and enjoy a more comfortable summer”, says Mr Smith.
