This Pest Index Gives Real-Time Info About Critters in Your Area
Outdoor fun in the warm weather months is hard to beat, but things can quickly turn when pests arrive to, well, pester you as you attempt to enjoy your summer. While bug repellents and anti-bug products are always helpful to have on hand, one weather website is upping the ante on preparedness, giving you a forecast not just for expected climate conditions, but also for indoor/outdoor bugs that might be lurking in your area.
The AccuWeather SC Johnson Pest Index is a first-of-its-kind tool that helps users plan for bug protection by factoring in location, weather, and insect behavior, predicting if there is a low, moderate, or high chance of common indoor and outdoor pests in their area or in the areas they’re headed to.
Simply put in your location or the location where you’re off to, and the tool will let you know in real-time what you might expect when it comes to creepy crawlies or invaders with wings.
“Just like you plan for sun or rain, it’s important to plan for insects you might encounter in your daily activities,” said Dr. Thomas Mascari, bug expert and entomologist for SC Johnson, in a press release announcing the news. “Mosquitoes, ticks, roaches and ants can put a damper on summer fun, and the AccuWeather SC Johnson Pest Index is a great tool that utilizes the power of science to ensure that families are ready and able to help avoid pests outside or at home.”
It might seem like bugs are ubiquitous in the summer months, but the current and expected climate conditions can tell you a lot about exactly which types of critters you might expect to see lurking around, and different regions can expect different insect activity.
Mosquitoes typically hang in areas of high heat or significant rainfall, with research from SC Johnson showing that cities including Dallas, Houston, and Lake Charles, Louisiana are predicted to be most affected this summer, thanks to wetter-than-normal conditions. Areas with drought and high heat might see more cockroaches indoors as they make their way into homes in search of food and water, particularly in the Northeast, interior Northwest, and intermountain West. Ticks are becoming more of a concern outdoors nationwide thanks to higher-than-average temps across the board.
There is one slight reprieve, though. The pros note that a drier-than-average spring may help reduce mosquito activity in Michigan and the interior Northeast. Still, knowing what to prepare for can help you and your loved ones enjoy a peaceful, pest-free summer with less fear of bites, stings, and unwanted guests during your warm weather adventures.