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Learn about the effects of mild winters on the bug population and how the connected ecosystem has long reaching effects. Explore what you can do to protect your home, and what to expect.

Warm Winter Prompts Early Bloom and Increased Insect Activity

Illinois, along with the rest of the nation, is experiencing unseasonably warm weather this year, leading to shifts in the environment. The warmer temperatures are triggering early blooming of plants and a surge in the insect population could follow. Steve Schell, a Natural History Biologist with the Missouri Department of Conservation, discussed the implications of this climate change.

"The early warm temperatures can cause everything to start. Plants start greening up early�� invertebrates and bugs can start coming out a little bit earlier. It does cause a little bit of concern because it is really, really early. A lot of these things tend to be timed with each other. So pollinators need to come out at the same time that the thing they're pollinating is blooming. And sometimes these early seasons, that still all kind of works together, but it's unusual," Schell remarked.

Schell acknowledges that early warm temperatures can impact when bugs emerge, but he assures that, for the most part, they're harmless. However, he notes that individual opinions on bugs will influence how the early bloom affects people.

"It kind of depends on your relationship with the bugs, obviously. Some people, they're an annoyance. Some people, if you have extremely bad allergic reactions to them, you might be needing to gear up for stinging insects earlier this year."

Anticipating the Bug Season

Homeowners should prepare for an increase in the bug population in the coming months. With only a few days below freezing, Illinois residents should expect slightly higher pest populations. Chris Horrell, owner of Bug Zero in Cape Girardeau, sheds light on the specific pests likely to be prevalent.

"Some pests are more affected than others. One that stands out to me is fleas. Fleas, if we have a long cold spell, say below freezing for at least five days, where the high is below freezing, you know, kill fleas. But we really haven't had, we've had barely that."

Horrell mentions that certain species of native bugs handle the cold well, so their populations will remain stable from previous years.

"Especially local pests or native pests, like ants, spiders, crickets, and termites. They're native to this area and can handle those temperatures or want warm or cold temperatures."

This sentiment is echoed by Schell, who assures that most native bug species "will be just fine" when temperatures drop. Illinois residents shouldn't worry about higher population densities but should be prepared for bugs to appear earlier than usual.

Protecting Your Home: Strategies and Tips

Horrell offers extensive advice on strategies homeowners can implement early to prevent infestations come spring.

"One tip we always tell homeowners is when you're outside, basically it'll get wetter as we get into spring a lot of times. Getting that moisture away from the house is always a good thing. So make sure your gutter downspouts are connected, and you don't have standing water because pests really thrive in those conditions."

Horrell urges homeowners to be proactive and have the exterior of their homes professionally sprayed before the coming spring months. He warns that many over-the-counter repellents may not be sufficiently effective once pests have already entered the home. Horrell emphasizes that along with keeping moisture away from the home, professional spraying and preventative measures are crucial to avoid infestations.

Embracing Nature's Balance

Outside of allergies and phobias, Schell encourages the public to adopt a welcoming attitude towards bugs.

"The thing for a lot of folks is sometimes they will notice a thing that is changing�� and they think oh, everything else must be changing associated with it, but you just happen to notice it at that time�� We got to embrace the changes and embrace the bugs if you get some extra bugs, (because) they are a part of the system just like everything else."

Schell emphasizes the interconnected nature of bug ecology, stating that early blooms not only affect bugs but also impact other animals. Birds may migrate earlier, and insect-consuming animals may arrive much earlier in spring. He hopes that, despite the warmer temperatures, people will take advantage of the opportunity to explore nature and witness ecosystems in full effect.

This article is part of WSIL-TV’s Building a Better Community Initiative Climate Pillar. Find this along with other reports from our Building a Better Community Initiative, head to the NEWS 3 mobile app and .