Insects set for spring surge, thanks to active El Nino weather pattern

(ARA) - The wet weather pattern blamed for this winter's record snowfall in the East and mudslides in the West is expected to wreak more havoc this spring and summer with a surge in insects.

Termites, ants and other pests thrive in moist conditions, and there will be plenty of those across America, as the record snow pack continues melting from the Sierra Nevada to Capitol Hill.

"When conditions are warm and wet, many pests begin to swarm in search of food, shelter and mates," says Dr. Bob Davis, Entomologist and a Scientist at chemical company BASF. "Unfortunately, this search brings many of these pests inside, where they can create a nuisance and destroy property."

Based on known climate conditions and accumulated knowledge of pest behavior, Davis offers the following pest problem outlook for specific U.S. regions.

The South

With its hot, humid summers and temperate winters, the South offers ideal conditions for a wide range of pests, including many species of ants. "Many ants live in nests just below the soil surface, so once the ground gets soaked, they quickly begin moving their nests to higher locations," Davis said. "Once they get flooded out, it doesn't matter how clean your home is - no one is immune from an invasion."

Ant populations are expected to grow across the South this spring, bolstered by an influx of feisty foreign invaders. For example, the invasive "Caribbean crazy ant" had only recently been seen in Texas, but has already begun to spread to multiple counties in Southeast Texas and may now be in the neighboring state of Louisiana.

The threat of termite infestations also could intensify this spring with forecasts predicting average temperatures in Florida, Georgia and other surrounding states, and above-average to average precipitation. A season of intermittent rains with warming temperatures is conducive to termite swarming and makes termite control a job that requires a professional.

The West

This winter was severe in the West. Colder-than-normal temperatures and heavy precipitation hit many areas of the Western states. February packed a punch of precipitation, and in March, California officials said the average water content in the Sierra mountains' snowpack had reached 107 percent of normal seasonal levels.

All that snow sets the stage for heavier-than-normal pest infestations. Spiders, scorpions, beetles, termites - all can flourish when normally dry ground is flush with water.

One frequent menace is the Western subterranean termite. This native pest can enter structures through cracks less than one-thirty-seconds of an inch wide, including the tiny openings in concrete slabs, around drain pipes, and between the slab and a home's foundation. Most swarming occurs in the spring, but additional swarms may occur throughout the summer and fall.

Wet conditions also will create a field day for ants, including the highly invasive Argentine ant, whose massive colonies can be found along the West Coast and parts of the Eastern and Gulf Coast states.

Red imported fire ants also have invaded parts of the West, expanding their range every year.

The Midwest

States from Missouri to Iowa to Wisconsin saw more flooding last year, with thousands of homes damaged by water. The residual effect this year could be a proliferation of household pests that thrive in damp conditions, such as silverfish and spiders.

Moisture also increases the odds for termite invasions, especially in Midwestern states such as Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The southern parts of the Northern states, such as Wisconsin and Minnesota, may also see increased termite threats, particularly from the Eastern subterranean termite - the most common and widely distributed termite in North America.

In the colder northern-tier states, carpenter ants are a greater threat to homeowners. Carpenter ants - which are some of the larger ant species in the United States - prefer to nest in trees and wood next to homes, but they'll come inside to nest if the opportunity arises.

"Ants are omnivores, which mean they'll eat plants and meat. When they invade our homes, they eat mostly whatever they can find," Davis said. "They'll eat the dog's food, the cat's food and your food too, if they can get inside the pantry. Ant prevention is a job for a professional."

The Northeast

With record snowfall in the Northeast, wet conditions will likely persist into spring. Combined with the warming temperatures, this will create attractive conditions for a variety of bugs. Common culprits include the Eastern subterranean termite and the black carpenter ant.

Though we can't blame El Nino for this one, another pest that continues to attract headlines along the East Coast is the bed bug. Once believed to be virtually eliminated from the United States, this ancient enemy is back and New York and other Midwestern to Eastern cities have been especially hard hit. To prevent bed bugs from invading your home, thoroughly inspect your luggage and lodgings during your travels.

If you suspect an infestation of any type, Davis recommends you call a professional pest control expert. For more information, visit termiteinstitute.com, antinstitute.com or bedbuginstitute.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent