Urban Pest Abundance and Public Enquiries in Zurich 1991–2022

• Published in: Insects (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 14; no. 10; p. 798
• Main Authors: Brimblecombe, Peter, Müller, Gabi, Schmidt, Marcus, Tischhauser, Werner, Landau, Isabelle, Querner, Pascal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.10.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Aedes albopictus; Aquatic insects; awareness campaigns; Baits; Biological research; Biology, Experimental; Blattodea; Cimex lectularius; Cimicidae; Cities; climate; climate change; Climate effects; Cockroaches; Control; Control methods; COVID-19; COVID-19 infection; Data collection; Database searching; Distribution; Entomology; Epidemics; gels; Health aspects; Health risks; Influence; Insect pests; Insects; Internet/Web search services; media reporting; Mosquitoes; New records; Online searching; Pandemics; Pest control; Pests; Plodia interpunctella; Public concern; Search engines; Seasonal variations; Statistical analysis; Stegobium paniceum; Summer; Switzerland; Travellers; Trends; Urban health; Vespidae; Wasps; Zygentoma; Switzerland; Germany
• ISSN: 2075-4450; 2075-4450
• DOI: 10.3390/insects14100798

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 Blattodea and Plodia interpunctella declined in the period 1990–2022, while Cimex lectularius and Psocoptera increased. Summer has typically revealed the largest number of insects reported and Google searches show parallel seasonal variations. The Blattodea declined five-fold over time, likely due to better pest control methods (gel baits). Aedes albopictus, 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, Zygentoma and Stegobium paniceum. The long-term reporting to the UPAS gives a useful indication of the changing concerns about pests in Zurich.