winter 2020

U.S. CITIES PUBLIC HEALTH PEST WATCHLIST

When temperatures and precipitation levels drastically fluctuate, so can pest populations,
including vector pests that can spread disease. These 10 cities experienced unusual
weather this fall and winter, putting them on our watchlist for increased vector pest
pressure this season.

Miami
Atlanta After having its second-wettest December on
After an exceedingly warm and wet fall and record, above-average temperatures for the
start to winter, cold temperatures remainder of winter could provide ideal
predicted for February may cause rodents conditions for mosquitoes and cockroaches.
to seek shelter indoors.

Charlotte New York

With warm and rainy conditions throughout After experiencing its fifth-wettest
most of fall and winter, cockroach and tick December on record, which likely drove
activity could increase on unseasonably rodents indoors early, exceedingly dry
warm days. conditions for the remainder of winter
could keep them there.

Detroit Salt Lake City

After experiencing its fourth-coldest After a mild start to winter, predicted
November on record and a deluge of snow, freezing temperatures for the remainder of
cold temperatures and snowfall predicted the season may lead to increased rodent
for February could drive rodents indoors. activity in or around structures.

Hartford San Antonio

Excessive early season snowfall likely After an unseasonably warm fall and start
drove rodents indoors early, and to winter, above-average precipitation for
below-average temperatures and the remainder of the season could lead to a
precipitation for the remainder of winter spike in peridomestic cockroach activity.
will likely keep them there.

Los Angeles Washington, D.C.

Exceedingly wet and warm conditions in An exceedingly cold start to fall, coupled
fall may have driven peridomestic with continuing cold and dry conditions for
cockroaches indoors early in search of the remainder of winter could contribute to
food and other resources. an increase in rodent pressure indoors.
factor key

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TICK MOSQUITO

vector pests 101 prevention primer

rodents: The house mouse and deer
mice are vectors of Salmonella and
hantavirus, respectively, while Norway
rats and roof rats are also vectors of
Salmonella, as well as plague, typhus,
jaundice, rat-bite fever, cowpox virus and
trichinosis.
cockroaches: Cockroaches have been
reported to spread at least 33 kinds of
bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella,
as well as six kinds of parasitic worms
and at least seven other kinds of human
pathogens.
mosquitoes: Mosquitoes are vectors + Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly
of numerous diseases including
malaria, yellow fever, dengue, + Clean up spills and vacuum often to eliminate attractive
encephalitis, Chikungunya, West Nile food sources
virus and Zika virus.
ticks: The blacklegged tick is a vector + Fix leaking pipes and clogged drains to avoid moisture problems
of anaplasmosis, babesiosis and Lyme
disease, while the American dog tick, + Seal potential pest entry points such as cracks and gaps
Rocky Mountain wood tick and the
brown dog tick are vectors of Rocky + Remove areas of standing water to minimize breeding grounds
Mountain spotted fever.
+ Contact a pest control professional if an infestation is suspected

Brought to you by the National Pest Management Association ©2020