To effectively combat this surge, experts recommend engaging in preventive pest control measures. Early intervention during summer can significantly mitigate the risks associated with pest infestations. Regular treatments are essential to limit mosquito breeding and ensure kitchens remain safe from ants and cockroaches.

Monsoon Season Prompts Termite and Mosquito Activity

The arrival of monsoon weather significantly alters the dynamics of pest control. Increased rainfall creates damp areas and standing water, which are conducive for pests like mosquitoes and termites. These conditions make monsoon one of the busiest times for pest-related issues.

Specialists advise homeowners to conduct thorough inspections of wooden furniture and structures during this season. It is also crucial to maintain clean drains, balconies, and other areas to prevent mosquito reproduction. Regular cleaning can reduce the accumulation of stagnant water, which is a prime breeding ground for these pests.

Alongside this, attention to proper storage and maintenance is vital to keep pests at bay during the monsoon, as the moisture in the environment can attract a variety of unwanted visitors.

Winter Is Critical for Rodent Management

Contrary to popular belief, pest activity does not cease in winter. Rodents such as rats and mice often seek shelter in homes to escape the cold, looking for warmth and food sources. Kitchens, storage areas, and hidden spaces within homes frequently become their hiding spots.

Winter can be regarded as an opportune time for rodent control efforts, as identifying and addressing infestations is often easier before they escalate. Sealing potential entry points and ensuring proper food storage can greatly reduce the risk of rodent problems.

Implementing winter-specific pest control measures can lead to long-term benefits by preventing infestations from multiplying as temperatures rise in the following seasons.

Spring Offers an Opportunity for Proactive Measures

Spring marks a period of reawakening for various pests, with ants, termites, and cockroaches becoming more active following the winter months. However, infestations during this stage are generally more manageable. It is viewed as an advantageous time for comprehensive pest control.

Engaging in preventive measures during spring can thwart the expansion of pest colonies in the hotter months. Strategies such as deep cleaning and outdoor maintenance can curtail activities before they escalate, providing a cleaner and safer living environment.

Consideration of regular inspections and treatment can be beneficial in this season, helping to reduce the likelihood of infestations later in the year while ensuring homes remain free from pest-related issues.

Year-Round Pest Management Yields Better Results

For households with ongoing pest concerns, relying on quarterly pest management services may prove more effective than one-off treatments. Consistent inspections allow homeowners to identify hidden infestations early, which can prevent expensive repairs and extensive damage in the long run.

Experts highlight the importance of understanding seasonal shifts in pest behaviour, advocating for continuous maintenance rather than waiting for noticeable signs of infestation. Regular practices and techniques are key to achieving sustained pest management throughout the year.

In addition to professional services, simple daily habits can contribute to long-term success in pest control. Measures such as avoiding stagnant water, sealing food containers, and maintaining cleanliness in kitchens can make a meaningful difference in pest management efforts.

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For decades, scientists believed that Iceland’s unique climate, characterised by its cool maritime temperatures and variable freeze-thaw cycles, played a crucial role in keeping mosquitoes at bay. However, with climate change accelerating, even this remote island can no longer maintain its mosquito-free status.

The findings serve as a stark reminder of how rapidly the Arctic environment is changing. Increased temperatures are reshaping ecosystems, leading to the establishment of insect populations that were previously unable to survive in such conditions.

Warming Arctic and Broader Ecological Implications

Reports indicate that the Arctic is warming at nearly four times the global average, with earlier snowmelt and prolonged summer seasons contributing to a shifting landscape. Alongside these climatic changes, the burgeoning levels of human activity, including tourism and military endeavors, are broadening the routes through which invasive species can penetrate previously isolated regions.

While mosquitoes are a notable addition to Iceland’s fauna, they represent just one aspect of a larger narrative involving various arthropods. This group, which consists of insects, spiders, mites, and ticks, plays a vital role in Arctic ecosystems, influencing plant pollination, nutrient recycling, and pest regulation.

Researchers emphasise that arthropods are sensitive to environmental changes, making them critical indicators of ecosystem health. Nonetheless, the lack of a comprehensive monitoring system across the Arctic presents significant obstacles to understanding how these ecosystems are evolving amidst climate change.

Urgency for Biodiversity Monitoring and Community Involvement

The ramifications of the arrival of mosquitoes are already tangible, affecting various wildlife species. For instance, Arctic shorebirds are struggling as the timing of insect hatching no longer aligns with their breeding cycles, resulting in reduced chick survival rates. Additionally, reindeer and caribou are experiencing heightened pressure from biting insects, diverting energy away from grazing.

Moreover, insect outbreaks are negatively impacting tundra vegetation, potentially speeding up the thawing of permafrost, which could exacerbate greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. These developments highlight a pressing need for international cooperation and consistent biodiversity monitoring efforts. Researchers advocate for enhanced collaboration to safeguard Arctic ecosystems.

Indigenous communities, who have been attuned to environmental changes over generations, are anticipated to play an essential role in future monitoring initiatives. For scientists, the appearance of mosquitoes in Iceland is not merely an inconvenience; it signifies a broader transformation of the Arctic that demands urgent attention and response.

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The latest study led by Sofia Yacob and Roxy Mathew Koll from IITM indicates that there is an intrinsic link between climate and dengue outbreak in India. The report was published in under ‘Scientific Reports’, a section inside international science weekly Nature, on January 21, 2025. The study explores how rainfall temperature and humidity variations can influence dengue in hotspot areas like Pune, Maharashtra. 

Scientists Making Stride In Dengue Study

“Such early warning systems can help authorities take protective measures to prevent and manage outbreaks,” said climate scientist and professor Roxy Mathew Koll to an Indian daily newspaper.

For Prof Koll, the motivation to work on this research was very personal. “In August 2024, my wife was severely affected by dengue and had to be hospitalised in the ICU. Hospitals in Pune were overwhelmed with dengue patients and this experience showed me that even as a climate scientist,no one is spared,” he said.

The study came out of joint efforts done by experts from the University of Maryland, US, University of Pune, University of Nottingham, along with the Maharashtra and Pune health department officials. Titled ‘Dengue Dynamics, Predictions and Future Increase Under Changing Monsoon Climate in India’, the report said that rising temperature and fluctuating monsoon rainfall could increase dengue related death by 13% by 2030 and 23% to 40% by 2050. Only timely intervention can save India from becoming a dengue hotspot.

The research team has developed a model based on artificial intelligence or machine learning to predict dengue outbreak nearly two months before. This will help authorities boost outbreak preparedness.

This will provide adequate time for local administration and health departments to enhance response strategies with the aim of reducing dengue cases and deaths. If the collected health data is shared by the state and health departments, a customized early warning system for climate sensitive diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, can also be prepared for each city or district in India.

Global Burden of Dengue

Dengue is one of the fastest spreading mosquito borne diseases, which escalates under the influence of climate change. India contributes a third of the total global burden of dengue. This is because the country has relatively high temperature and humidity, which is expected to project upwards in the future. As monsoon rainfall patterns are becoming more erratic with heavy to extreme rains, there will be an overall increase in warmer days. This situation can be very conducive for a dengue outbreak.

According to the study, a combination of warm temperature above 27°, moderate and evenly distributed rainfall along with humidity levels between 60% to 78% during the monsoon season can increase dengue incidence, and eventually death. The months of June to September in India are likely to experience more cases of dengue.

However, heavy rainfall above 150 mm, within a week, can reduce dengue prevalence by flushing out mosquito eggs and larvae.

According to the study, which is located in Pune, the city is expected to experience a 1.2 to 3.5°C. average temperature rise by the end of the century. The dengue mortality in Pune is projected to also rise in the short-term, i.e. between 2020 to 2040, by 13%  in accordance with the global warming by 1.5°C. The mid century projection for 2040 to 2060 is approximately 25 to 40% rise in dengue related mortalities. This goes as the global temperature is expected to warm by 2°C under moderate to high carbon emissions.

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