Warm Winter Could Mean Trouble for Insects This winter has been fairly mild compared to year's past, which may mean it's been more tolerable for people in certain regions in the country, but it also means bad news for insects. In fact, warmer winters mean higher mortality rates for insects— specifically for honeybees. "With these warmer days, they consume more honey because they're more active. The concern is they could become too active, too early. In Ontario a few years ago, bees started to fly out of their hives too early and there was no food for them to gather," said Dr. Chris Cutler, an associate professor with environmental sciences at the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus. "Last year, with all the snow we had, was a great year for wild bees here. That snow provided a blanket of heat for them," he said. "When there's no snow, insects are a lot more exposed in the ground and the ground can really freeze under them." Plus, a milder winter could also mean mosquitoes will emerge earlier than usual. This will certainly be something the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization will be trying to get ahead of given the recent concern with the Zika virus. Do you think you will see fewer insects in your area due to the mild winter? If you have any pest concerns, be sure to contact a professional pest management company.