Swarm of locusts descends on New York City
A swarm of locusts descended on New York City this week, leaving city officials and residents scrambling to figure out what to do.
The locusts, which are about the size of a nickel, started emerging from the ground on Monday and have been increasing in number ever since. City officials are concerned that they could do significant damage to the city's vegetation and crops.
Residents have been posting photos and videos of the swarm online, and some say that the bugs are making it difficult to go outside. "It's like something out of a horror movie," one resident told reporters.
So far, officials have been unable to come up with a plan to get rid of the bugs. They've tried spraying them with insecticide, but it doesn't seem to be working. The locusts are simply moving to other parts of the city.
Some experts are saying that this could be the largest swarm of locusts to hit New York City in decades. They're urging residents not to panic, but rather to stock up on food and water in case the infestation gets worse.
biblical plague of locusts threatens crops
A biblical plague of locusts is threatening to devastate crops in Africa and the Middle East, authorities said on Tuesday.
The locusts are in their early juvenile stages and have not yet formed into swarms, but they could cause serious damage if they reach maturity, according to the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
"If no action is taken, the situation could worsen rapidly and cause significant losses of vital food crops, pasture land, jobs and income security," said Keith Camese, an FAO senior regional officer for Eastern Africa.
The locusts were first spotted in October in Sudan and South Sudan, and have since spread to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and northern Somalia. A separate outbreak has been reported in Yemen.
"The situation is very critical. We are about to enter the breeding season for these pests, so we are really running against time to try to stop them from multiplying and becoming a real menace," Camese said.
The FAO has been working with governments in the region to control the infestation through spraying insecticides from planes and helicopters. But lack of funds is hampering those efforts.
Colorado farmers battle swarm of hungry locusts
Farmers in Colorado are battling a swarm of hungry locusts that is threatening their crops. The locusts, which measure up to two inches long, have been spotted in several counties in the state.
"This is the worst infestation we've had in years," said one farmer. "The locusts are eating everything in sight."
The farmers have been using all sorts of methods to try to get rid of the locusts, including spraying them with pesticides and setting fire to their fields, but so far nothing has worked.
"We're at our wits' end," said another farmer. "If we can't get rid of these bugs, we'll lose our farms."
The locusts are expected to continue plaguing the farmers throughout the summer.
millions of dollars worth of damage done by locust infestation
In the past two years, a locust infestation has caused more than $100 million in damage to farms in California, Arizona and New Mexico. The pests have destroyed acres of crops, including cotton, alfalfa, wheat and corn.
The locusts are an especially difficult pest to deal with because they can breed rapidly and travel long distances. In the past, when there was a major infestation, the government would send in army troops to kill the pests with poison. However, this is no longer feasible due to budget cuts.
Farmers are now looking for other ways to combat the infestation, including using pesticides and herbicides, but these methods can be expensive and may not be effective. Some farmers have also tried flooding their fields, but this can be dangerous and costly.
The infestation is expected to continue for the next few years, so farmers will need to come up with innovative solutions if they want to protect their crops.
how to protect your garden from a locust invasion
Summertime is prime time for picnics, barbecues and of course, garden pests. One of the most pesky of summer pests is the locust. These small but mighty bugs can quickly invade and decimate a garden. Here are some tips on how to protect your garden from a locust invasion:
First, keep your garden tidy. Remove any fallen leaves or debris which could provide a breeding ground for locusts.
Secondly, use physical barriers to keep the bugs out. Place netting or screens over your plants to prevent the locusts from getting in.
Finally, use natural deterrents to keep the bugs at bay. Sprinkle garlic or cayenne pepper around your plants to repel the locusts.
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