More pest? Not really, they're just early in the Hickory area

HICKORY --

Dratted bugs! They flit, bite and sting. They creep, crawl and gnaw. Theyre everywhere, and way too soon for most people.

The good news is we dont have more bugs because of the warm winter and a hot spring, they just woke up early.

Thats the consensus of agricultural and entomological experts.

The natural cycle is about two months early, said Bruce Beerbower, lead naturalist at Catawba Science Center.

Beerbower gets a lot of calls about insects and he said everything from bugs to pollen is out early this spring. Butterflies are fluttering ahead of schedule.

Last Sunday night, I saw fireflies that normally I dont see until May, Beerbower said. He told of a Mountain View resident who saw a snapping turtle. Cooters (thats a nickname) doesnt usually appear until June. And there was a call about a swarm of bees in a house.

Thats a problem, Beerbower said. There isnt a lot you can do on your own about a swarm thats inside. They shouldnt be stirring yet, but they are.

Jeff Carpenter, Cooperative Extension agent for Catawba County, said climate doesnt have much effect on insect populations. He pointed out that Canada has bitter cold weather, but that doesnt stop clouds of insects from breeding in warm summer months.

We wont have more insects, Carpenter said about the mild winter, theyre just out earlier than were used to.

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More pest? Not really, they're just early in the Hickory area