As winter's end approaches, these US cities could see a surge in pests. What to know
Cities in states like Massachusetts, Florida and Colorado are expected to see surges in pests like ticks, mosquitoes, and rodents as temperatures creep back up this spring, according to a report from the National Pest Management Association.
The association's bi-annual forecast seeks to raise awareness about the 'health threats pests pose nationwide, and indicate the U.S. cities most at risk for seeing a surge in disease-spreading pests.'
"While we can't control the weather's impact on pest activity, we can take proactive steps to prepare for what's to come," said Jim Fredericks, senior vice president of public affairs for the association.
The report did not just put cities on notice but it also issued a statewide warning for Florida, citing the state's warm, humid climate, which allows disease-carrying pests to thrive year-round.
"Ticks, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and rodents pose serious health risks," said Jorge Parada, medical advisor for the association. "They can spread dangerous diseases like Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Salmonella, plague, and hantavirus, and even trigger asthma and allergies.'
According to the association's public health pest index, the top cities include:
Boston, Massachusetts
Cleveland, Ohio
Denver, Colorado
Florida
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Louisville, Kentucky
New Orleans, Louisiana
Salt Lake City, Utah
San Antonio, Texas
Seattle, Washington
Washington, D.C.
"This report is about protecting public health and equipping homeowners and businesses with the knowledge to stay one step ahead, and that starts with learning the risks and leaning on the expert professionals who can keep these pests at bay,' Fredericks said.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These US cities could see a surge in pests as winter's end approaches
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