Mosquitoes, swarms of termites appear in Louisiana

Published 12:00 pm Monday, May 14, 2018

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Mosquitoes and swarms of Formosan subterranean termites have appeared in Louisiana, despite spring weather and some cold temperatures in the winter that had some hoping for a reprieve from the winged pests.

Zack Lemann with the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium says cold weather isn’t typically something that’ll “knock down” termite or mosquito populations.

The New Orleans Advocate reported Saturday that termites are sheltered from the cold by living beneath the soil and inside of trees and houses.

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Lemann says the swarming season typically runs from May to July. That’s when male and females alates, fly from the colony where they were born and swarm for the purpose of finding mates.

Turning off the lights and waiting for the swarm to pass can help with dealing with swarms. But that tactic doesn’t work as well for mosquitoes.