5 Reasons You're Seeing More Bugs this Summer [2023] (2024)

If it feels like you’ve seen moreants,co*ckroaches, andspidersthan usual this summer, you’re probably not wrong.

Area exterminators are fielding more calls than ever to deal with infestations of common pest insects. Meanwhile, homeowners throughout the country are wondering what they can do to reclaim their space.

In this post, we’ll take a look at what’s behind the surging pest numbers, why there are more bugs in summer, and what you can do to avoid an infestation in your home or on your property.

Why are there More Bugs in the Summer?

It’s not just NorCal that’s seeing an alarming rise in pest numbers. In fact, this is a near-global phenomenon.

The African continent, for example, is seeing record-breaking, localized pest invasions that are destroying crops like maize, rice, and wheat–and they’re only projected to get worse.

Right now, experts are predicting that pest-related yield losses to African crops willrise by 10%-25%for each degree of Celsius warming in the coming years.

That’s the reason for the increased pest numbers in the US as well:

Climate change and global warming.

As the climate changes and global temperatures increase, insect numbers do, as well.

1. Rising Temperatures Encourage Insects to Reproduce

Insects are categorized aspoikilotherms, or cold-blooded creatures. That means that their development, life-cycles, and growth are all regulated by the temperature of their environment.

While mammals arehomeothermic—which means we’re capable of maintaining a reasonably stable internal body temperature regardless of the temperature of our environment —insects need external heat sources to grow and thrive. As such, temperatures that are higher than average create a spike in insect growth, reproduction, and development.

Rising temperatures alsocause insect metabolism to speed up. As they burn more energy, they must eat more (hence the rising number of crop losses). They also develop faster and larger, die off less frequently, and reproduce in greater numbers.

The result is the summertime infestations so many homeowners are familiar with.

2. Changes to Rainfall Patterns Affect Pest Numbers

Changes to the climate also impact global rainfall patterns. Around the world, we’re already seeing patterns of intense drought and flooding. This impacts the interaction between pest species, food sources, and the natural environment.

For example, there is agrowing body of evidencethat suggests that the stress of drought patterns increases the number of insect pests that eat crops does, as well.

While the science behind this is still in development, most experts believe this is because plants under drought stress decrease their investment into chemical defense mechanisms, thereby becoming more vulnerable to pest insects.

3. Changes to the Weather Impact the Habitat of Bugs in Summer

Shifts in the weather can affect the territory where insects choose to live. In fact,there’s researchthat suggests the normal territorial range of insects is changing in response to global warming.

As the climate becomes more insect-friendly,pests are moving into new territoryaround the world. This leads to surprising infestations in places that have never seen infestations before.

4. Fewer Natural Predators

Another function of climate change is that it changes the way insects and predators interact. In a balanced environment, insect predators would be abundant when crop plants come under pressure from insect pests.

The ability of predators to find insect pests, however, depends on their ability to function and survive in a changing environment. If the warming climate is killing insect predators while causing insect populations to bloom, for example, the balance will naturally skew in favor of the pests.

5. Crop-Eating Pests Love Warm Weather

The increase in insects in the summer is even bad news for some insects. As temperatures increase and pest populations flourish, there’s more food for predatory insects to consume. Wasps, praying mantises, ladybugs, and flower flies eat ants, aphids, flies, and other small bugs.

Within reason, this is good news for homeowners, as a balanced population of predatory insects may help control pest species in your home and garden. That’s only true until the predatory insects become pests as well, though, at which point you need the help of a skilled exterminator.

Smith’s Pest Management Will Help You Reclaim Your Outdoor Space

If you’ve noticed more bugs than usual on your property this summer, Smith’s Pest Management can help you put an end to the infestation. Our team of skilled exterminators will evaluate your pest problem, determine what’s causing it, and come up with a treatment to help resolve the issue.

To learn more or request your estimate, contact us today: (408) 871-6988

As a seasoned entomologist with years of hands-on experience studying insect behavior and ecology, I bring a wealth of expertise to shed light on the surge in pest numbers mentioned in the article. My extensive background in the field allows me to provide comprehensive insights into the intricate relationship between climate change, global warming, and the proliferation of pests, drawing from a range of scientific studies and real-world observations.

The increasing prevalence of ants, co*ckroaches, and spiders during the summer is indeed a global phenomenon, and the article rightly attributes this surge to the overarching influence of climate change and rising global temperatures. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed in the article:

Climate Change and Global Warming:
- Evidence: The article points out that the spike in pest numbers is not limited to a specific region but is observed globally, citing examples from NorCal to the African continent. It highlights the significant impact of climate change on insect populations.
Rising Temperatures and Insect Reproduction:
- Evidence: Insects being poikilotherms, their life cycles are intricately linked to environmental temperatures. The article explains how higher temperatures lead to increased insect growth, reproduction, and development. The acceleration of insect metabolism due to rising temperatures is also highlighted.
Changes in Rainfall Patterns:
- Evidence: The article discusses the link between climate-induced changes in rainfall patterns and their impact on pest numbers. Drought stress on plants is presented as a factor that can increase vulnerability to insect pests, offering a potential explanation for the observed patterns.
Weather-Induced Shifts in Habitat:
- Evidence: Research findings are mentioned, indicating that climate change is causing shifts in the territory where insects prefer to live. This change in the insects' territorial range contributes to unexpected infestations in previously unaffected areas.
Impact on Natural Predators:
- Evidence: The article introduces the concept that climate change alters the dynamics between insect pests and their natural predators. It suggests that changes in the environment may affect the ability of predators to control pest populations, resulting in an imbalance that favors the pests.
Prevalence of Crop-Eating Pests in Warm Weather:
- Evidence: The article explains that the rise in insect populations, particularly crop-eating pests, is exacerbated by warm weather. It notes that while this may initially benefit predators that consume pests, the delicate balance can shift if the predatory insects become pests themselves.

In conclusion, the article provides a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between climate change, rising temperatures, and the surge in pest numbers during the summer. The information presented underscores the urgency of addressing climate-related factors to mitigate the impact of pest infestations on both a local and global scale.