Billions of the young desert locusts are winging in from breeding grounds in Somalia in search of fresh vegetation springing up with seasonal rains. Source: NBC News
Wisconsin’s early winter weather is no problem for ticks. They’re still out in force, observers say (via Daily Tribune Media)
Tick season in Wisconsin typically runs from May to September. But deer ticks will reach their adult phase in October and early November. Source: Daily Tribune Media
Rare Form Of Tick-Borne Illness Led To Senatorâs Death (via Forbes)
Former U. S. Senator Kay Hagan passed away due to a rare tick-borne illness. Source: Forbes
EEE: Mosquito numbers are down, but the risk is still there (via MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA)
A hard freeze was recorded locally, which means the mosquito numbers are way down. But, the risk of contracting EEE is still there. Source: MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA
Bugging out about city council’s bed bug bill (via https://www.inquirer.com)
Like other big cities, Philadelphia has a big problem with bed bugs. But unlike other big cities, Philly lacks an official policy to help eradicate the icky little bloodsuckers. But is a recently amended policy proposed by 1st District Councilman Mark Squilla the best approach? Source: https://www.inquirer.com
NYC Housing Authority still lags in addressing rats and bug complaints, but is showing progress: federal monitor (via nydailynews.com)
The skin-crawling backlog exists in 2,645 apartments with open work orders for pest infestations, as well as 10,580 adjacent units, which also must be taken care of under New York City Housing Authority protocols. Source: nydailynews.com
Woman finds parasitic worms in eyes after encounter with flies (via WBNS-10TV Columbus, Ohio | Columbus News, Weather & Sports)
A Nebraska woman has become the second known person to contract a rare infection which led to her pulling parasitic worms out of her eye. Source: WBNS-10TV Columbus, Ohio | Columbus News, Weather & Sports
Fighting An Insect Invasion With… An Insect Invasion (via NPR.org)
The spotted lanternfly is eating its way through trees and crops in eastern Pennsylvania. NPR science correspondent Dan Charles explains how scientists hope to stop the spread of this invasive pest by importing a natural enemy from its home in China. Follow host Maddie Sofia on Twitter @maddie_sofia. Email the show at shortwave@npr.org. Source: NPR.org
1 million cannibal ants found trapped in Soviet-era bunker used to store nuclear weapons (via Fox News)
Nearly 1 million “cannibal” ants have been found trapped in an abandoned Soviet-era bunker in Poland used to store nuclear weapons, according to a new study. The insane insects, which have been trapped “for years,” have resorted to eating the corpses of their dead brethren to survive. Source: Fox News
8 Ways to Make Sure You Never See a Bug in Your Kitchen Again (via Reader's Digest)
Nothing will make you lose your appetite faster than finding bugs in your pantry or flying around your fruit bowl. Here are a few tricks for keeping those 6-legged creatures out of your Cheerios. Source: Reader’s Digest