With so many of us looking forward to going outside this summer, we should also watch out for some small pests that can threaten the good times.
Dr. Jim Fredericks, the chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association, gave some advice on keeping the beetles out.
Mosquitoes
Well, when it comes to mosquitos, we should expect lots of mosquitos every time we have a wet, warm spring and summer, said Dr. Fredericks.
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While mosquito bites are annoying, one must also keep in mind that they can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis, he added.
PREVENTION: One way to reduce the mosquito population is to check your property and remove stagnant water where they would breed. It’s also a good idea to make sure you’re wearing insect repellent. Dr. Fredericks recommends 20% DEET.
Ticks
The mild winter that much of the country experienced last season has caused large populations of ticks to move into spring and summer. It is estimated that up to 30,000 people develop Lyme disease each year and that is exactly what is reported to the CDC, said Dr. Fredericks. The CDC estimates that up to 475,000 people could develop Lyme disease from black-legged ticks each year.
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PREVENTION: To keep ticks away, Dr. Frederick, wearing repellents and doing a tick check when you are outside. – even with your pets.
Flying insects: wasps, hornets & yellow vests
Dr. Fredericks said stinging insects are important and are often only viewed as part of summer.
As summer gets hot and picnics and barbecues become more common, we will encounter these stinging insects, he said.
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He said stinging insects send nearly half a million people to the hospital every year.
PREVENTION: If you are outside of the grill, make sure you cover food that may be attractive to stinging insects. Serve drinks in cups to reduce the chance of a stinging insect getting into a can.
Cicadas
As for those giant cicadas on the east coast and in the mid-Atlantic, Dr. Fredericks, we can expect these to fall off over the course of the summer months.
He said that unlike cockroaches, bed bugs, and termites, these bugs do no harm. They don’t bite or sting so your best bet is to go outside and enjoy the spectacle. He added that we can expect the cicadas to be gone by mid-July.
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