37 votes

You're not crazy. The bugs are disappearing.

18 comments

  1. bushbear
    Link
    I enjoyed this video and it is semi related to my current uni work so it really adds some context to it. I might have to rewatch it again because there was some stuff near the end that is related...

    I enjoyed this video and it is semi related to my current uni work so it really adds some context to it. I might have to rewatch it again because there was some stuff near the end that is related to biodiversity loss that touches on how we value the natural world.

    6 votes
  2. CptBluebear
    Link
    Was this not the case in the US? Insect collapse has been ongoing for years and it's not much of a secret. Fewer bugs splats on cars, not as many wasps, flies, mosquitos, and whatever else. I have...

    Was this not the case in the US? Insect collapse has been ongoing for years and it's not much of a secret.

    Fewer bugs splats on cars, not as many wasps, flies, mosquitos, and whatever else.

    I have plenty of memories of my younger self trapping wasps because they were endlessly swarming any sweet stuff left in the open. I'm (un)lucky if I get even one to bother me.

    6 votes
  3. [4]
    dirthawker
    Link
    My parents' home was a regular and frequent drive of about 100 miles and in the late 90s I noticed the reduced number of bug splats on the car. I associated it with the drought (California as you...

    My parents' home was a regular and frequent drive of about 100 miles and in the late 90s I noticed the reduced number of bug splats on the car. I associated it with the drought (California as you may expect). When regular rains came back so did the bugs, but not as many as before, by far. Rarely see mosquitoes at dusk, though that might be just effective mosquito abatement.

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      Habituallytired
      Link Parent
      Mosquito abatement in CA is just them all coming to attack me because they know I'm allergic to them or something. Even in off seasons, I get bitten by mosquitos and fleas.

      Mosquito abatement in CA is just them all coming to attack me because they know I'm allergic to them or something. Even in off seasons, I get bitten by mosquitos and fleas.

      5 votes
      1. [2]
        dirthawker
        Link Parent
        Oh, they love me too, both mosquitoes and fleas. The fleas in particular leave deep red marks, but I've found a vitamin B complex supplement helps reduce the severity.

        Oh, they love me too, both mosquitoes and fleas. The fleas in particular leave deep red marks, but I've found a vitamin B complex supplement helps reduce the severity.

        2 votes
        1. Habituallytired
          Link Parent
          That's good to know! I already take a b12 supplement a few times a week. Maybe a low-dose b complex instead would help.

          That's good to know! I already take a b12 supplement a few times a week. Maybe a low-dose b complex instead would help.

  4. [12]
    culturedleftfoot
    Link
    Wow. I think it was just last Saturday that I realized I haven't seen an ant since pre-pandemic... literally more than 5 years ago. I thought it was a sign that I've been way too cooped up in the...

    Wow. I think it was just last Saturday that I realized I haven't seen an ant since pre-pandemic... literally more than 5 years ago.

    I thought it was a sign that I've been way too cooped up in the city, but maybe it's not just me.

    3 votes
    1. [9]
      mysterylevel
      Link Parent
      They're all in a big hill under my neighbor's house, very much alive and well

      They're all in a big hill under my neighbor's house, very much alive and well

      14 votes
      1. [7]
        h3x
        Link Parent
        Are you my neighbour? If so, apologies. We've been doing battle with the ants every summer for years, and they still get in.

        Are you my neighbour? If so, apologies. We've been doing battle with the ants every summer for years, and they still get in.

        4 votes
        1. [6]
          mysterylevel
          Link Parent
          Nothing seems to work for long to keep them out 😔

          Nothing seems to work for long to keep them out 😔

          2 votes
          1. [2]
            vili
            Link Parent
            I've used something called Maxforce ant bait gel for years. Bought a set of syringes a decade ago. The way it has worked since is that ants decide to come in once every spring when it starts to...

            I've used something called Maxforce ant bait gel for years. Bought a set of syringes a decade ago. The way it has worked since is that ants decide to come in once every spring when it starts to rain. I say no, put a few pea-sized nuggets of the gel around where they enter, they go wild about it, take it back to the nest and... uh... something happens that I don't really want to think about, and then no more ants inside the house until next spring, when the cycle repeats.

            I still see plenty of ants outside of the house, so at least it doesn't kill everything everywhere. I can't say I'm particularly happy using the product, but it does keep the ants out for us at least.

            1 vote
            1. DrStone
              Link Parent
              I've had similar experience with the Terro brand liquid ant baits. The same ants that go nuts for this stuff (and then go... away) could not care less about Combat, Raid, and some of the other...

              I've had similar experience with the Terro brand liquid ant baits. The same ants that go nuts for this stuff (and then go... away) could not care less about Combat, Raid, and some of the other household name brands.

              6 votes
          2. [3]
            cutmetal
            Link Parent
            A pro pest control guy once told me to get a product called Termidor, it's some serious nasty pro shit but it works. When the ants show up in my kitchen in the spring I spray some around my...

            A pro pest control guy once told me to get a product called Termidor, it's some serious nasty pro shit but it works. When the ants show up in my kitchen in the spring I spray some around my foundation, it usually just takes the one application each year to keep them away.

            1. [2]
              mysterylevel
              Link Parent
              I'll try to find an NZ equivalent, maybe at a landscaping supply store. I've used bait with some success inside but the sprays don't last long outside with our UV levels

              I'll try to find an NZ equivalent, maybe at a landscaping supply store.

              I've used bait with some success inside but the sprays don't last long outside with our UV levels

              1. cutmetal
                Link Parent
                In 2018 I ordered a small bottle off Amazon, it's been used to treat three different houses each year since then and I still have half. Unfortunately the product page is gone, the bottle says...

                In 2018 I ordered a small bottle off Amazon, it's been used to treat three different houses each year since then and I still have half. Unfortunately the product page is gone, the bottle says something like "for professional use only" so it's possible that it's no longer easy to get in the US any more either. And you're right about UV breaking stuff like this down, when you spray on the sunny side of the building you really should dig a little trench and bury it. I don't though, my theory is it gets into the soil which protects it from the sun. My kitchen is on the south side where the sun shines and it does the trick.

                Good luck finding Termidor or something else that works in New Zealand!

                1 vote
      2. Habituallytired
        Link Parent
        Some of them live in my building's courtyard, tempting my dog, who likes to eat them for some reason.

        Some of them live in my building's courtyard, tempting my dog, who likes to eat them for some reason.

        1 vote
    2. [2]
      patience_limited
      Link Parent
      I've got all the ants. They're pushing up the concrete slabs of our front walkway. They're building pyramids. They're invading the bathroom in spring and holding territory. We're thinking of...

      I've got all the ants. They're pushing up the concrete slabs of our front walkway. They're building pyramids. They're invading the bathroom in spring and holding territory. We're thinking of sending in drones.

      6 votes
      1. mysterylevel
        Link Parent
        Delete this comment, my ants invaded the fibre conduit and have Internet access....

        Delete this comment, my ants invaded the fibre conduit and have Internet access....

        4 votes