El Nino – 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 with a surge in insects.
Termites, ants and other pests thrive in moist conditions, and
there will be plenty of those across America, when record snow
packs begin 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,” said Dr. Bob Davis,
Entomologist and a Scientist at BASF, the world’s largest chemical
company. “Unfortunately, this search brings many of these pests
inside, where they can create a nuisance and destroy property.”
Just how bad your pest problem will be this spring depends on
several factors, Davis explained, including the region where you
live and your recent weather patterns.
Based on known climate conditions and accumulated knowledge of
pest behavior, Davis offered the following pest problem outlook for
specific U.S. regions.
The SouthWith 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. These ants are aggressive enough to drive out native
ants and fire ants.
“There are whole neighborhoods in Southeast Texas that are being
overrun with millions of these invasive crazy ants,” Davis
said.
Colonies of native crazy ants are relatively small, with
multiple queens and a few thousand workers. In favorable
environments, such as Florida, larger “super” colonies containing
tens of thousands of ants may be linked together by foraging
trails.
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. Swarms occur when winged termites
leave the nest to form new colonies – often right after a rainfall.
But termites also can reproduce right in their own nests. In fact,
during years of reduced swarms, a single subterranean termite
colony might split into multiple smaller ones underground, Davis
said.
Southeastern drywood termites, often found in the extreme
Southeastern states, swarm from late May to mid-June. They can
infest buildings, eating structural timbers, pieces of furniture,
flooring, doors, window trim, even wooden picture frames. Interior
swarms will many times be found near windows and doors because the
flying insects are attracted to lighted areas.
The WestThis 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.
While the snow is a blessing to drought-stricken areas of
California, it also 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.
“The Argentine ant has few natural enemies here, so they can
quickly knock out the native ants,” Davis said. “When Argentine
ants get inside a house, they’re a force to be reckoned with. I’ve
seen these ants travel in columns that were as wide as my
wrist.”
Red imported fire ants also have invaded parts of the West,
expanding their range every year. They are extremely resilient and
have adapted so well that they can survive both floods and
droughts. Fire ants are known to become ferocious if their nests
are disturbed, and their painful bite and sting carries venom that
can be medically hazardous to some individuals.
The MidwestStates 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. This
native pest feeds on cellulose materials, including structural
wood, wood fixtures, paper, books and furniture, and will even
attack the roots of shrubs and trees.
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.
There are plenty of other ants in the Midwest, including the
invasive “odorous house ant,” so named because it smells like a
rotten coconut if it’s smashed. Indoor nests can be found in wet
areas, such as bath traps, under toilets, in wall voids near hot
water pipes or heaters, and in crevices around sinks, appliances
and cupboards.
“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.”
The NortheastWith 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.
Mature carpenter ants produce swarmers that spend their winters
in nests and take flight in the spring. Indoor carpenter ants may
be seen trailing along edges of cabinets, floors and furniture.
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. Scientists aren’t
exactly sure why, but they suspect one cause is the rise in
international travel to countries where bed bugs are still
prevalent.
In addition to infesting many hotels – even some of our finest –
bed bugs have also invaded thousands of apartments and houses. To
avoid a bed bug infestation, Davis recommended thoroughly
inspecting 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.
EDITOR’S NOTE: For related photography or video, please contact
Kimberly Huston at 612-455-1704 or khuston@psbpr.com.
About the Crop Protection division
With sales of €3.6 billion in 2009, BASF’s Crop Protection
division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the
farming industry providing well-established and innovative
fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products
and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses
include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and
ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims
to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s
Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator,
optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus
enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population.
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