Shea Simmons
No one likes a bug bite. Aside from coating yourself in repellant, there’s not much you can do, right? Wrong! There’s a new tool that can help.
AccuWeather has teamed up with SC Johnson (the creators of OFF!) to create a pest index. This tool helps people determine how high the bug count is in a specific area in real-time.
Depending on your privacy settings, when you head to the AccuWeather x SC Johnson Pest Index, the website might use your location services. If not, you just type your zip code. You’ll then be given a 12-day index that rates the risk of bugs on a scale from one to 10.
You also get more details, like whether cockroaches or ants are more likely, and you can even choose either an in- or outdoor forecast.
The pest index uses location, weather, and insect behavior to predict your risk of encountering a wide variety of both in- and outdoor pests. For example, higher levels of rainfall and higher heat mean more mosquitos are possible. Drought conditions and heat waves contribute to ants and cockroaches moving indoors, while drier (but not drought-like) conditions can help reduce mosquitos.
“Just like you plan for sun or rain, it’s important to plan for insects you might encounter in your daily activities,” said Dr. Thomas Mascari, bug expert and entomologist for SC Johnson, in a press release. “Mosquitoes, ticks, roaches, and ants can put a damper on summer fun, and the AccuWeather SC Johnson Pest Index is a great tool that utilizes the power of science to ensure that families are ready and able to help avoid pests outside or at home.”
If you’re planning an end-of-summer camping trip or outdoor dinner party, now you can plan ahead and stock up on the bug repellent you need.
[Via Apartment Therapy]
