Find how climate change impacts pests and what it means for our environment, crops, and homes. Learn to manage pest challenges effectively.
Transitions in the weather caused by climate change may lead to more pests. One significant change is that average temperatures around the world are getting warmer. This warming trend is making it easier for insects to survive in places where winter used to kill them. As a result, crops in these areas could face severe damage.
Pests and Climate Change
Evidence suggests that climate change and pests will remain a problem. As temperatures rise, insects that usually die in the cold survive the winter and return in spring to attack plants. Warmer winters lead to earlier hatching and more active pests. This causes their numbers to grow quickly, damaging the plants we depend on. For example, fleas need about 5 days of freezing weather to die, while emerald ash borer larvae need just 24 hours of freezing to be killed.
Climate change has a big impact on gardens.
Less snow can kill more insects that live above ground, but bugs living underground aren’t as affected by snow or cold. The good news is that warmer temperatures help predators, like insects that eat pests, appear sooner. Birds also migrate earlier, which helps control pest populations.
Does Warmer Winter Mean More Pests
Climate change affects pests and diseases in different ways. Native insects can handle temperature changes better than pests that come from other places. The same goes for diseases—introduced diseases may struggle to adapt to local weather changes.
Mosquitoes and ticks are increasing, likely because of earlier, wetter, warmer springs and mild winters. Insects are cold-blooded, meaning they can’t produce their own heat and need notable changes to survive the winter. Those who spend the winter in gardens have ways to handle the cold. However, they might come out earlier in warmer places with mild winters. They won’t survive well if there isn’t enough greenery for them to feed on.
Helpful predatory insects also struggle if there aren’t enough other bugs for them to eat. Since different insects handle colds differently, scientists use models to predict which pests might become a problem each season. These predictions are specific to each area and focus on when harmful insect populations might grow.
How Insects Survive Winter
To survive winter, many insects migrate. Others produce a special chemical called a cryoprotectant, which stops them from freezing. Most insects survive winter by living underground or hiding in plant material. Some, like aphids, lay eggs that have protective chemicals to help them last through the cold.
In winter, most insects slow down their metabolism and go into dormancy. When temperatures warm up, they become active, and overwintered larvae and eggs start to grow. Insects develop based on temperature, so warmer winters might cause some to emerge early. However, without enough plants to feed on, they use up their stored energy and die. This means climate change could actually result in fewer pests surviving until spring.
How to Protect the Garden
Keeping your garden free of harmful bugs is an important yearly task. While it’s good to attract pollinators by planting different flowers and host plants, you can still protect your plants from pests.
Getting rid of plant debris helps fight pests. Without old plant material to hide in during the winter, insects are left exposed. You can also plant decoy crops to attract pests away from your desired plants.
Think about spraying around your house to reduce pests that live in damp, dark areas. Make sure your gutters are directing moisture away from the house, and remove any standing water.
One of the best ways to protect your garden is to take good care of your plants. Make sure they have enough nutrients and water and are free from stress. Healthy plants can handle a minor bit of bug damage better than unhealthy ones. Most importantly, watch your garden closely and take action when there is the first sign of pests.
