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Urban Pest Abundance and Public Enquiries in Zurich 1991–2022
oleh: Peter Brimblecombe, Gabi Müller, Marcus Schmidt, Werner Tischhauser, Isabelle Landau, Pascal Querner
| Format: | Article |
|---|---|
| Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2023-10-01 |
Deskripsi
Zurich’s Urban Pest Advisory Service (UPAS) aims to survey, control and reduce hazards posed by pests. Records submitted to the UPAS may not exactly correlate with abundance but can reveal patterns of change. These reflect changes in species, public and media perceptions and the effects of climate and COVID-19, along with the effectiveness of new pest controls. Records for <i>Blattodea</i> and <i>Plodia interpunctella</i> declined in the period 1990–2022, while <i>Cimex lectularius</i> and <i>Psocoptera</i> increased. Summer has typically revealed the largest number of insects reported and Google searches show parallel seasonal variations. The <i>Blattodea</i> declined five-fold over time, likely due to better pest control methods (gel baits). <i>Aedes albopictus</i>, though rare, was the subject of media reports and awareness campaigns, which resulted in much public interest. Vespidae are abundant and have been reported in sufficient numbers to warrant an analysis of seasonal records, suggesting that July temperatures affect numbers. COVID-19 restrictions led to more frequent reports of rodents, pigeons, <i>Zygentoma</i> and <i>Stegobium paniceum</i>. The long-term reporting to the UPAS gives a useful indication of the changing concerns about pests in Zurich.