While we don’t see the Brood X cicadas in our area, there are other bugs to look out for. KDKA’s John Shumway spoke to a pest control expert about what we need to be aware of.
Video transcript
– Well, as close to Pittsburgh as Mercer and Somerset Counties, you could say the Brood-X Cicadas are singing a love song right now.
– While the area may get a little more sleep, there are plenty of pests to pop up and annoy you. And we should warn you that what John Shumway found out from a bug specialist could be a little awkward.
JOHN SHUMWAY: Yes, to say the least. We talk about things that sting, that creep, that creep and even sleep with us.
CHAD GORE: We’re also seeing an increase in bed bug calls.
JOHN SHUMWAY: Yes.
CHAD GORE: For me that means more people are traveling and taking bed bugs with them and passing around.
JOHN SHUMWAY: Entomologist Dr. Chad Gore of Ehrlich Pest Control says it’s nowhere near all about bed bugs. The stay at home pandemic spawned this.
CHAD GORE: So we’ve seen a lot of problems with American cockroaches, especially around town and in the city, as a result of people’s inactivity.
JOHN SHUMWAY: And the queens of the flying sting are looking for nesting sites.
CHAD GORE: The hornets tend to be quite aggressive, especially bald hornets. Yellowjackets also tend to be quite aggressive when disturbed.
JOHN SHUMWAY: Fly too–
CHAD GORE: I was actually outside. Last night I was bitten by a couple of mosquitos.
JOHN SHUMWAY: And back with a vengeance
CHAD GORE: Certainly lots of ants to see and the tick season never ends.
JOHN SHUMWAY: Yes, and for the ants, he says, use bait traps. Do not spray because spraying will only get what you see and that is only a fraction of the colony. If you use a bait trap instead, the ant happens to walk through it, get the killing agent on its legs, and then go back to the colony and distribute it to all of its friends. And it takes care of the whole colony, not just the one you see. And Heather, he estimates, when you see ants, you only see about 10% of the ants that are actually in the colony.
The story goes on
– We had ants in the house a few years ago and it’s … oh, it’s hard to deal with.
JOHN SHUMWAY: Yes.
– So what about hitting the “flying spikes” as you call them with the spray?
JOHN SHUMWAY: Well if you’re allergic, don’t even do it. Don’t go near her. But if not, watch them and see where they go because you want to locate the nest. And if it’s an area people walk past, the bees will actually see that as aggression – just walk past the entrance to their hive.
So you will want to deal with them. And always spray the coolest part of the day when they are the least active and most of them are back in the nest. And when you spray, don’t hold back. Penetrate this nest because you want them all, including the queen.
– And be sure when you do.
JOHN SHUMWAY: Yes absolutely. And if you have any concerns, give someone a professional call.
– Yeah, okay, John. Many Thanks.
