Identifying Noisy Insects of the Summer
As the Pennsylvania summer heat intensifies, so does the chorus of bothersome insect noises. You’ve likely noticed that certain bugs are especially noisy at night. In this blog post, we’ll help you identify the culprits behind all the different buzzing, chirping, and whirring sounds, and how professional pest control services can help get rid of noisy summer bugs.
Mosquitoes
Mosquito noise is a high-pitched whining or buzzing. This sound is generated by the rapid movement of their wings, which can beat anywhere from 300 to 600 times per second. The intensity and volume of the mosquito’s buzzing can vary depending on factors, like the mosquito species and size as well as the proximity to the listener.
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Cicadas
Their loud noise is often described as a high-pitched whirring, buzzing, or droning sound. It’s created by the males producing a mating call. They use specialized organs called tymbals, which are located on the sides of their abdomen.
The males gather in large numbers and synchronize their calls, creating a chorus-like effect that can get loud, sometimes reaching up to 100 decibels or more. The buzzing or singing of cicadas is particularly prominent during the warmer months, especially in the late spring and summer in eastern North America.
Grasshoppers
These pests produce a short, soft chirping or buzzing sound through a process called stridulation, which involves scraping their hind legs and wings together to create vibrations.
The chirping sound of grasshoppers serves as a means of communication, primarily for mating purposes or territorial defense. The frequency and pitch of grasshopper chirping can vary, depending on the species and individual characteristics. Additionally, warmer temperatures tend to increase their metabolic rate, leading to more frequent chirping, while cooler temperatures can slow down their activity.
Crickets and Katydids
Crickets are known for their chirping sound, which is often described as a rhythmic series of melodic high-pitched notes. It’s produced by the males as a means of communication, primarily for attracting females and establishing territory.
They produce sound by rubbing their wings together, a behavior known as stridulation. The forewings of male crickets have specialized structures called “file” and “scraper.”
Oftentimes, crickets are bugs that make noise at night or in dimly lit environments when their calls can be more easily heard. Their chirping is generally lower in pitch compared to cicadas and grasshoppers, and crickets can create a soothing and peaceful ambiance, often associated with warm summer evenings.
While crickets don’t cause any harm to humans (other than being a nuisance), they can destroy plants. Crickets are one of the many insects covered by Green Giant’s year-long residential pest program.
Katydids look very similar to crickets, but their calls are typically slower and more deliberate than crickets. They produce sounds that are similar to the repetitive “katy-did” or “katy-didn’t” pattern, which gives them their common name.
Bees
Bees are known for their characteristic buzzing sound, which is created by the rapid beating of their wings, producing vibrations in the air. Larger wasps or hornets move more slowly, making a lower-pitched noise.
Bees are quiet compared to the other noisy summer bugs listed here. But if you need help with professional bee or wasp removal, get in touch with us today!
Want to enjoy your summer without these noisy bugs?