Is climate change responsible for larger numbers of parasitic insects? - Sheryl

Posted on 27 February 2009

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I have only lived in North Carolina for about 8 years, but since I’ve been here, I have noticed that parasitic insects have become FAR more prevalent than they were when we first came here.

I’ve always used natural methods to repel fleas and ticks from my dog, and this past year, even that didn’t work. The fleas seem to be larger, and much more aggressive than in the past,too. And the ticks seem to be breeding in overtime. After a 10 minute walk in some nearby woods(which I spend time in every year)this past Spring, I pulled nearly a dozen ticks off of my daughter and myself- and three were already imbedded.

I have a feeling this is because of the milder winters that are occuring now. Even when it gets cold, it doesn’t stay that way very long. So, am I right? Is this related to climate change?

Submitted by: Sheryl Johnson

Yes, Sheryl is right. Milder winters keep insects breeding, and new insects migrate to places where they find no predators.

Answer by: Prof. Dr Antonio Ruiz de Elvira, Professor of Applied Physics at the University of Alcala, and Chair of the Scientific Comittee of the European Climate Forum, Spain

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