Does Severe Cold Hurt Pest Insects?

Q: Any good news on the bug front after the severe cold last week?

A: I wish the cold weather would have an effect on insects like fire ants, ambrosia beetles, stinkbugs, etc. but it does not diminish their summertime numbers. In the short term, many may die from cold, but they will simply rebound rapidly when spring and summer arrive. You won’t notice a difference by midsummer.

In 2014, extreme cold hit Minnesota. Researchers hoped it would kill the larvae of destructive emerald ash borer. Though many of the insects died, their numbers bounced back in a year.

Ash Borer Not Affected by Cold