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The aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s
landfall last week is still not fully known.
Communities are still trying to pick up
the pieces in the wake of the destruction
Helene left behind. Helene was a
devastating storm that will leave a
lasting impact on people and towns for
years to come.
There are many dangers once a
hurricane has passed. Fallen debris,
downed power lines and flooding are
only a few of the potential challenges for
people. It can also take time for services
to be restored and resources to reach
communities in need. Flooding can
displace people and emergency aid will
be needed in many areas.
A hurricane can displace animals and
insects too. Strong winds and flood
damage can change local populations of
insects. Habitats are often destroyed
affecting insect breeding and feeding
grounds. Invasive species can move
into disturbed areas and potentially
disrupt local ecosystems.
Many insects have developed survival
strategies. Flooding can result in
standing water leading to an increase in
mosquito populations. Mosquitos are
known carriers of several diseases.
Limited resources after a hurricane and
the devastation created can make it
difficult to respond and control the
increased mosquito populations.
Saturated ground can bring many ant
species to the surface. Fire ants in
particular can group together and even
float. If a person or pet comes in contact
with floating fire ants, their bites can be
very painful and lead to irritation in
some.
Spiders will be on the move in search
for higher ground or indoor spaces for
shelter. Not all varieties of spiders will
be harmful but people must be mindful
of venomous spiders too. Black widows
and brown recluse are only a couple of
venomous spiders people may
accidently come in contact with after a
hurricane. Debris clean up can be a
potential hazard and increase the risk of
a spider bite.
Nocturnal predators such as scorpions
can be on the move or in places where
they are not normally seen. The three
most common species of scorpions we
see in Florida are the Florida Bark
scorpion, Hentz scorpion, and Guiana
Striped scorpion. These scorpions can
deliver a painful sting but it is not
considered lethal to humans. A
scorpion sting can be very painful and
last for several hours.
Another household pest that can be
displaced after a hurricane are
cockroaches. Many varieties of
cockroaches such as German roaches,
American cockroach, and the
Brown-banded cockroach are only a few
species that may be in search of a safe
haven. Cockroaches are highly resistant
creatures and can survive for extended
periods of time submerged in water.
Even though contact with cockroaches
after a hurricane will not result in a sting
or bite like other species of insects, they
are carriers of various pathogens and
allergens. This can lead to potential
health risks especially in contaminated
areas.
The devastation after a hurricane can
last for years. Families, animals and
even pests can be displaced after a
storm. Be mindful of your surroundings
after the hurricane has passed. It is
possible you may come in contact with
one or more of the pests discussed
today. If you have any concerns be sure
to contact a pest control specialist.
Thanks for joining us today. We will see
you next time. Remember, if it crawls or
fly’s, we’re your guys!
Hi, everyone! Welcome to Bug Talk. I’m
your host Ryan Haynes and I am here to
tell you what you need to know about
insects after a hurricane.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s
landfall last week is still not fully known.
Communities are still trying to pick up
the pieces in the wake of the destruction
Helene left behind. Helene was a
devastating storm that will leave a
lasting impact on people and towns for
years to come.
There are many dangers once a
hurricane has passed. Fallen debris,
downed power lines and flooding are
only a few of the potential challenges for
people. It can also take time for services
to be restored and resources to reach
communities in need. Flooding can
displace people and emergency aid will
be needed in many areas.
A hurricane can displace animals and
insects too. Strong winds and flood
damage can change local populations of
insects. Habitats are often destroyed
affecting insect breeding and feeding
grounds. Invasive species can move
into disturbed areas and potentially
disrupt local ecosystems.
Many insects have developed survival
strategies. Flooding can result in
standing water leading to an increase in
mosquito populations. Mosquitos are
known carriers of several diseases.
Limited resources after a hurricane and
the devastation created can make it
difficult to respond and control the
increased mosquito populations.
Saturated ground can bring many ant
species to the surface. Fire ants in
particular can group together and even
float. If a person or pet comes in contact
with floating fire ants, their bites can be
very painful and lead to irritation in
some.
Spiders will be on the move in search
for higher ground or indoor spaces for
shelter. Not all varieties of spiders will
be harmful but people must be mindful
of venomous spiders too. Black widows
and brown recluse are only a couple of
venomous spiders people may
accidently come in contact with after a
hurricane. Debris clean up can be a
potential hazard and increase the risk of
a spider bite.
Nocturnal predators such as scorpions
can be on the move or in places where
they are not normally seen. The three
most common species of scorpions we
see in Florida are the Florida Bark
scorpion, Hentz scorpion, and Guiana
Striped scorpion. These scorpions can
deliver a painful sting but it is not
considered lethal to humans. A
scorpion sting can be very painful and
last for several hours.
Another household pest that can be
displaced after a hurricane are
cockroaches. Many varieties of
cockroaches such as German roaches,
American cockroach, and the
Brown-banded cockroach are only a few
species that may be in search of a safe
haven. Cockroaches are highly resistant
creatures and can survive for extended
periods of time submerged in water.
Even though contact with cockroaches
after a hurricane will not result in a sting
or bite like other species of insects, they
are carriers of various pathogens and
allergens. This can lead to potential
health risks especially in contaminated
areas.
The devastation after a hurricane can
last for years. Families, animals and
even pests can be displaced after a
storm. Be mindful of your surroundings
after the hurricane has passed. It is
possible you may come in contact with
one or more of the pests discussed
today. If you have any concerns be sure
to contact a pest control specialist.
Thanks for joining us today. We will see
you next time. Remember, if it crawls or
fly’s, we’re your guys!Hi, everyone! Welcome to Bug Talk. I’m
your host Ryan Haynes and I am here to
tell you what you need to know about
insects after a hurricane.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s
landfall last week is still not fully known.
Communities are still trying to pick up
the pieces in the wake of the destruction
Helene left behind. Helene was a
devastating storm that will leave a
lasting impact on people and towns for
years to come.
There are many dangers once a
hurricane has passed. Fallen debris,
downed power lines and flooding are
only a few of the potential challenges for
people. It can also take time for services
to be restored and resources to reach
communities in need. Flooding can
displace people and emergency aid will
be needed in many areas.
A hurricane can displace animals and
insects too. Strong winds and flood
damage can change local populations of
insects. Habitats are often destroyed
affecting insect breeding and feeding
grounds. Invasive species can move
into disturbed areas and potentially
disrupt local ecosystems.
Many insects have developed survival
strategies. Flooding can result in
standing water leading to an increase in
mosquito populations. Mosquitos are
known carriers of several diseases.
Limited resources after a hurricane and
the devastation created can make it
difficult to respond and control the
increased mosquito populations.
Saturated ground can bring many ant
species to the surface. Fire ants in
particular can group together and even
float. If a person or pet comes in contact
with floating fire ants, their bites can be
very painful and lead to irritation in
some.
Spiders will be on the move in search
for higher ground or indoor spaces for
shelter. Not all varieties of spiders will
be harmful but people must be mindful
of venomous spiders too. Black widows
and brown recluse are only a couple of
venomous spiders people may
accidently come in contact with after a
hurricane. Debris clean up can be a
potential hazard and increase the risk of
a spider bite.
Nocturnal predators such as scorpions
can be on the move or in places where
they are not normally seen. The three
most common species of scorpions we
see in Florida are the Florida Bark
scorpion, Hentz scorpion, and Guiana
Striped scorpion. These scorpions can
deliver a painful sting but it is not
considered lethal to humans. A
scorpion sting can be very painful and
last for several hours.
Another household pest that can be
displaced after a hurricane are
cockroaches. Many varieties of
cockroaches such as German roaches,
American cockroach, and the
Brown-banded cockroach are only a few
species that may be in search of a safe
haven. Cockroaches are highly resistant
creatures and can survive for extended
periods of time submerged in water.
Even though contact with cockroaches
after a hurricane will not result in a sting
or bite like other species of insects, they
are carriers of various pathogens and
allergens. This can lead to potential
health risks especially in contaminated
areas.
The devastation after a hurricane can
last for years. Families, animals and
even pests can be displaced after a
storm. Be mindful of your surroundings
after the hurricane has passed. It is
possible you may come in contact with
one or more of the pests discussed
today. If you have any concerns be sure
to contact a pest control specialist.
Thanks for joining us today. We will see
you next time. Remember, if it crawls or
fly’s, we’re your guys!