As Colorado’s weather shifts from spring rains to hot, dry summer days, you may notice more bugs buzzing around your home or garden. This isn’t just a seasonal coincidence—experts say it’s all tied to the state’s changing weather.
From grasshoppers eating your plants to mosquitoes breeding after storms, here’s a look at which insects are on the rise and what you can do about them.
Grasshoppers Are Thriving in Hot, Dry Conditions
If you live on Colorado’s eastern plains, you might spot more grasshoppers this year. Hot and dry weather helps these insects multiply quickly, and as plants dry out, they start feeding in gardens and fields. With less vegetation in open spaces, your garden becomes their favorite buffet. Expect to see more of them hopping around as summer heat continues.
Miller Moths: Less in Numbers but Still Around
Miller moths, the small brown insects that fly around porch lights, are starting to disappear as their spring migration ends. Although they can be annoying, they’re harmless to people and pets. These moths are actually helpful—they pollinate flowers and provide food for birds and other wildlife.
Their numbers depend on three things: their migration path, weather changes, and the availability of food. With the temperatures rising, they’re heading to the mountains for cooler weather and more nectar.
More Mosquitoes After the Rains
After recent storms, many areas in Colorado, including Arapahoe County, are seeing a sudden increase in mosquitoes. Public health teams report two to three times more mosquitoes in their traps compared to the same time last year.
To stay safe from mosquito bites, experts recommend using insect repellent with DEET, wearing long clothes in the early morning and evening, getting rid of standing water around your home, and keeping windows and doors shut or screened.
Japanese Beetles and Pine Beetles: Two Ongoing Problems
Japanese Beetles are becoming a bigger problem along the Front Range. These shiny green bugs eat flowers, trees, and garden plants. Warm and wet weather helps them spread, and this summer’s conditions are just right for them to thrive again.
In the forests, Pine Beetles and similar pests are a long-term worry. Warmer winters and drier summers are stressing trees, making them more likely to get infested. Though weather changes sometimes limit beetle numbers, tree damage remains a serious issue.
What About the Bees?
Not all insects are pests. Bees are extremely important for pollination, which helps plants and crops grow. But heat waves and dry spells can hurt bee activity and reduce the flowers they rely on. To help bees, plant native flowers that bloom across seasons and avoid using pesticides, especially when flowers are in bloom.
Insects Are Changing with the Climate
The weather in Colorado is changing—hotter summers, mild winters, and stronger storms. These changes are also affecting insect behavior. Some bugs are showing up earlier, staying around longer, or moving into new areas where they didn’t live before.
Insects are an important part of our environment. Some can be annoying or harmful, like mosquitoes and beetles, while others, like bees and moths, are helpful. As Colorado’s weather continues to change, learning about how insects react to these shifts can help you protect your garden, home, and local wildlife. Simple steps like using repellent, covering water sources, and planting bee-friendly flowers can make a big difference.