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Biting Bugs Arrive With Summer

Yancas / Flickr

Along with the rich greens and beautiful blossoms of early summer come bugs— gnats, mosquitoes, ticks, and many others. During this hour of Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe chats with Iowa State University entomologist Donald Lewis about biting insects. 

Lewis says that the biting black flies, also known as buffalo gnats, that bothered much of Iowa in late spring are thankfully gone, as their lifespan is only three weeks. Tick populations appear to be about average this year. The mosquito population level is lower than usual, but we may still see a surge in mosquitos as the summer continues.

"It depends on the weather to come," Lewis says.

Later in the hour, Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Specialist Richard Jauron joins the conversation and answers listener questions. 

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HorticultureHort DayInsects