The Worst Pests and Insects in Minneapolis

Minnesota is a great state for outdoor enthusiasts and has many wonderful attractions. However, especially when summer comes around, Minneapolis locals may want to be wary of some pests and insects that could be roaming around their house and garden. Most pests and insects are just a nuisance, but some can cause health issues directly or because some are allergic to a certain sting. Now with climate change getting more serious year after year, this will only influence more permanent warm temperatures in generally colder parts of the United States, which means some diseases that are spread by insects, such as mosquitoes, could become a genuine threat in the next couple decades unless we do something on a global and national scale.

Here is a list of the top 8 worst insects and pests in Minneapolis and Minnesota:

1. Bees

Although bees are fantastic stewards for the earth and our livelihoods, through pollination, they also sting and fly around consistently during the summer months. While these stings are annoying and painful to some, for some people they’re potentially deadly or harmful due to allergies. Allergic reactions to their stings kill about 62 people a year in the U.S. and send thousands to emergency rooms each year on top of that.

2. Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can often be very annoying to get rid of and they usually latch onto people and animals, so therefore, with the amount of travelling we do, they can spread around pretty fast. Keeping an eye out for them and eliminating them while you can is essential, otherwise you might be spending the night with some tiny bloodsuckers. If you bring them home or suspect you have, hire a professional to exterminate them asap.

3. Ticks

Tick related diseases have expanded in recent years with more cases of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These insects are annoying and very persistent. Black-legged ticks, or deer ticks, are responsible for transmitting Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and a form of encephalitis. To prevent tick bites, use a repellent with Deet. Spray it onto your clothing and let it dry for a number of hours. Tuck your pants or other clothing into socks and leave no loose ends, and don’t forget to do a full-body tick check as soon as you come inside. Ticks need to be attached to your body from 12 to 24 hours to transmit disease.

4. Biting Flies

Horseflies and deer flies reproduce in wet, marshy areas but can travel miles away to prey on unsuspecting victims. Their bite carries a stinging punch, but they do not transmit diseases. A repellent containing the chemical Deet is the most effective defense.

5. Spiders

There are plenty of types of spider across the United States, including Chicago. Many are harmless, however, there are some that have a venomous bite and if it isn’t fatal then the bite may be pretty painful or uncomfortable either way. While incidences are usually rare, some bites do send people to the ER.

6. Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are an absolute nuisance and they also carry various diseases such as Dengue fever and Malaria. While these diseases aren’t prominent in the U.S, there is growing risk as temperatures increase year on year due to global warming. Dengue also has no vaccine and there are four strains of the virus. Symptoms vary, and can end up being fatal, so this is not a disease that people would like to have spreading around the country. To avoid mosquito issues, ensure you aren’t breeding mosquitoes in your own yard or elsewhere. Rid nearby areas of standing water, clean your gutters, and trim back overgrown hedges. Personal protection is the most effective and sufficient way to ward off these pests. Cover up with long sleeves and pants and wear repellent.

7. Wasps and Hornets

Like bee stings, hornets and wasps can send people to the ER due to allergies. Their stings can often be painful and like many insects they roam around exceedingly in summer. While generally they’re not aggressive, if their nests are disturbed they will attack. Unlike bees, they can sting multiple times. Take care and wear gloves when pruning shrubs, in case there’s a nest tucked out of obvious sight. For out of the way nests that are unlikely to be disturbed, you should probably just let them be, unless allergies are a large issue.

8. Ants

Ants are usually just a pest and can be annoying to people and gardens. Some species can cause painful bites, but this is usually only prevalent in summer months and more in southern states such as Arizona or Nevada.