From mosquitoes and wildlife to ticks and flies, being prepared for spring and summer pests can have an impact on how enjoyable your time outdoors will be. Do not worry you are not alone, as the experienced team at Orkin Canada is there to help you prepare.
After doing thorough research, we have put together a comprehensive list on the top 7 pests expected to trend in the summer of 2022. This list will provide an in-depth look at the impact that pests will have on your home or business, along with also providing easy to use preventative tips.
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What Is The Reason For Potentially Increased Pest Activity In The Summer Of 2022?
When it comes to pests, weather plays a huge factor in determining which pests will remain most active throughout the year. The normal pest-weather cycle in Canada usually goes like this; many pest species remain active throughout the spring and summer season, but as the weather gets colder, the pest population is naturally controlled. Some beat the cold by overwintering in protected sites. When the winters are extremely cold and prolonged, large portions of overwintering pests are killed but if the winters are mild, more will survive to start and establish vigorous population in the spring and summer.
The winter of 2021 was unseasonably warm, going against the natural cycle. Short cold spells across the country have produced an increased amount of precipitation (snow and rain). The implications of this mild winter combined with the increased precipitation may have a major impact on pest populations as the weather warms up in 2022.
From increased moisture sources created from melted snow to warmer winter conditions not controlling the pest population, the impact of these factors could be felt by both homeowners and business operators alike.
It is important to note that a lot of the current predictions about the expected wave of pest activity in 2022 is anecdotal/based on expected conditions.
Top 7 (Soon To Be) Trending Pests Of 2022
1. Mosquitoes
Why Are Mosquitoes Predicted To Be Trending?
The mild 2021 winter and increased precipitation can create more standing water sources (like puddles) as warmer weather melts snow. This can result in multiple species of mosquito breeding and becoming more active.
What Makes Mosquitoes Dangerous?
Mosquito bites are painful and can cause inflammations that result in secondary infections; in addition, some mosquito species can transmit plasmodium, a pathogen that causes malaria, West Nile virus, encephalitis viruses complex, and filarial heartworm in dogs.
What Are Steps To Prevent Mosquitoes?
- Eliminate all standing water around structures and on property
- Standing waters that cannot be eliminated can be treated with environmental safe products that kill the larvae before they develop into adults.
- Trim back all tall vegetation.
- Retrofit storm drains and catch basins.
- Wear insect repellent and protective clothing when outdoors.
2. Ticks
Why Are Ticks Predicted To Be Trending?
The mild 2021 winter led to fewer wildlife populations being impacted. As the weather warms up, there could be an increase in wildlife activity and as a result, ticks may spread to human hosts more frequently.
The milder 2021 winter also means an increased number of the tick population survived the milder conditions, hence more ticks to encounter. A larger population of ticks also increases the risk of Lyme disease across Canada.
What Makes Ticks Dangerous?
Ticks are important vectors of disease; they carry bacteria and viruses known to cause serious illness in both humans and animals. These diseases can include Lyme disease vectored by the black legged (Deer) tick, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia.
What Are Steps To Prevent Ticks?
- Keep your grass mowed.
- Get rid of all leaf and weed litter.
- Trim tree branches.
- Manage pet activity.
- Wear proper clothing including proper footwear when outdoors.
3. Ground Beetles
Why Are Ground Beetles Predicted To Be Trending?
The mild 2021 winter resulted in fewer overwintering pests like ground beetles being naturally controlled. As the winter population continues to grow in 2022, there is an expected population explosion as a result.
What Makes Ground Beetles Dangerous?
Ground beetles in the natural outdoor environment are actually beneficial insects, however some ground beetles eat the seeds, shoots, and pollen of plants, even eating seeds of corn, potentially destroying a harvest/crop yield. Ground beetles when in large numbers can become nuisance pests, they can cause alarm when they enter homes and commercial buildings. Also, some ground beetles can release unpleasant odorous secretions.
What Are Steps To Prevent Ground Beetles?
- Keep mulch away from the building foundation.
- Reduce/adjust the level of outdoor lighting in/around your property.
- Keep your yard debris-free (stones, branches, leaves, etc.).
- Seal cracks and crevices in foundation, around doors and windows to keep them out
4. Flies
Why Are Flies Predicted To Be Trending?
The mild 2021 winter and increased precipitation can create more moisture coupled with decomposing organic and other plant materials provides ideal breeding areas for flies to thrive and become more active.
What Makes Flies Dangerous?
Flies can easily spread disease, because they move quickly from rotting, disease-laden garbage to exposed foods, food prep surfaces and utensils. More than 100 pathogens are associated with the house fly including staphylococcus, E. coli and shigella. Certain flies species such as non-biting midges can be a nuisance to deal with, as they enter structures in large numbers or mass onto buildings surfaces.
What Are Steps To Prevent Flies?
- Clean all drains and sink areas.
- Replace broken window and door screens.
- Reduce the presence of ripe fruits and vegetables.
- Close the lids on waste bins.
- Eliminate excess moisture and decaying organic matter on property
5. Carpenter Ants
Why Are Carpenter Ants Predicted To Be Trending?
The mild 2021 winter and increased precipitation can result in increased moisture around your property with possible moisture damage to structures, including moisture saturated, decomposing wood structures in the yards or connected to your home. This is ideal for carpenter ants to infest and nest in. Because these pests infest moisture compromised wood, there may be a potential increase in structures being infested by carpenter ants.
What Makes Carpenter Ants Dangerous?
If carpenter ants get inside your home, they can chew through wood, hollowing out decorative and structural material and causing damage. While carpenter ants rarely bite humans, their mandibles can tear through human skin, which they spray with ant formic acid creating a burning sensation.
What Are Steps To Prevent Carpenter Ants?
- Remove wood debris around the house.
- Move wood piles away from structures.
- Trim back surrounding trees and shrubbery.
6. Bed Bugs
Why Are Bed Bugs Predicted To Be Trending?
As COVID-19 restrictions ease throughout Canada, more people are likely to start vacationing; travelling internationally or visiting loved ones. This can allow bed bugs to hitchhike onto people’s belongings, and eventually be brought back to their homes. This may lead to a resurgence in bed bugs across the country.
What Makes Bed Bugs Dangerous?
Bed bugs are blood-feeding insects, though they not known to transmit diseases, their bites can be irritating. The welts caused by bed bug bites may lead to secondary infections. It can lead to emotional, psychological and mental health issues. You may find red spots of faecal matter on your bed sheets or pillowcases after being bitten by bed bugs, but it can be maddeningly difficult to detect where the bugs are actually hiding. These pests also breed rapidly, as a few bed bugs can become a population of a couple hundred within a month.
What Are Steps To Prevent Bed Bugs?
- Be a conscious traveler; travel light, use hard case suitcases, inspect the hotel room prior to putting away belongings
- Clean and vacuum bedrooms regularly.
- Protect mattresses and box springs with certified bed bug encasements.
- Use light coloured sheets to spot stains.
- Contact a licensed pest control provider for preventative bed bug measures.
7. Wasps
Why Are Wasps Predicted To Be Trending?
The mild 2021 winter resulted in more fertilized wasp queens surviving. With an increased number of wasp queens surviving, this could potentially result in more wasp colonies being established across Canada. There are certain areas that may see an explosion in the wasp population because of this reason.
What Makes Wasps Dangerous?
Many species of wasps are extremely aggressive and will sting to defend their nests. Unlike bees who can only sting once, wasps are able to sting multiple times. Those with allergies to wasp venom may be at risk of suffering severe reactions if stung.
What Are Steps To Prevent Wasps?
- Seal gaps leading to wall or baseboard voids such as cracks or crevices around windows and doors
- Repair door and window screens
- Reduce available food sources
- Clean up spills and crumbs promptly
- Move garbage bins away from house
We hope these predictions will get you ready for the summer of 2022. Remember that if you are seeing a large-scale pest infestation on your property, your Orkin Canada technician is there to assist you. Contact your local Orkin Canada branch today to get started!
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