Nevadans Battle Terrifying Invasion of Mormon Crickets
Residents of Nevada are currently grappling with a distressing and unsettling situation as their driveways and backyards are being overrun by groups of Mormon crickets. These large cannibalistic insects may not directly harm humans, but their presence has caused widespread discomfort and concern throughout the state.
Mormon Cricket Outbreak Reaches Alarming Levels
According to reports from major media outlets in the Northeastern United States, the outbreak of Mormon crickets has been steadily worsening in recent years, reaching alarming levels. The city of Elko in Nevada has been particularly affected, with residents taking to social media to share shocking videos of their homes and outdoor spaces being invaded by these insects.
One video, in particular, has gone viral on TikTok, amassing over 14.5 million views in just one week. The footage shows Mormon crickets covering a woman’s driveway, patio, and walls. Desperately, her husband attempts to remove the insects using a leaf blower, while she expresses her fear of the crickets jumping onto her from the porch roof and onto her neck.
A Petrifying Plague
Colette Reynolds, who has been documenting the invasion on her TikTok account for six days, describes the ordeal of dealing with this plague that has taken over all the outdoor spaces of her house. She admits feeling petrified and unable to leave her home. While this species migrates through her area every year, she has never experienced an invasion of this magnitude before.
Disgust and Danger on the Roads
The presence of Mormon crickets not only evokes disgust but also poses a danger to road safety. The insects cover the roads, creating a slippery surface that has resulted in car accidents. Local residents have reported instances where vehicles skidded due to the presence of crickets on the road. The infestation even hindered access to the local hospital, requiring extensive cleaning around the building to ensure patients could reach the medical center, according to Steve Burrows of the Regional Hospital.
A Common Phenomenon
This outbreak of Mormon crickets is not an isolated incident. Jeff Knight, the Nevada state entomologist, explains that such outbreaks are common in the western United States and typically last for four to six years. After a period of drought, cricket eggs hatch, leading to a surge in the insect population.
Sharing Experiences and Seeking Solutions
The severity of the situation has prompted Nevadans to turn to social media to share their experiences and seek potential solutions. Platforms like TikTok and Twitter have been flooded with videos and comments about the overwhelming presence of Mormon crickets. Users have even created memes and jokes to cope with the infestation.
Temporary Measures and Long-Term Solutions
Local authorities have advised residents to take precautions to protect their homes, such as sealing doors and windows and using bug lights to avoid attracting crickets at night. However, these temporary measures have proven insufficient in halting the invasion. Jeff Knight emphasizes that extermination is not a viable option, as it would only attract more crickets to the area due to their cannibalistic nature.
Nevadans find themselves in the midst of a terrifying and nasty invasion: groups of Mormon crickets covering their driveways and backyards. These giant cannibalistic insects do not directly harm humans, but their presence has caused discomfort and concern across the state.
According to major media reports in the Northeastern United States, the Mormon cricket outbreak has been worsening in recent years, reaching worrying levels. Residents of the city of Elko in the state of Nevada, one of the most affected, have gone viral on social networks by sharing shocking videos of these insects invading their homes and outdoor environments.
One video in particular, posted to TikTok, has racked up more than 14.5 million views in just one week. In it, Mormon crickets are shown covering a woman’s driveway, patio, and walls. The woman’s husband desperately tries to remove the insects with a leaf blower, as she feels “petrified” at the thought of crickets jumping on her from the porch roof and jumping onto her neck.
Colette Reynolds, the woman who for six days has recorded from her TikTok account the way she deals with this plague that has invaded all the exterior spaces of her house, says that she feels petrified and has not been able to leave and although this species migrates every year through her area, she assures that she had never had an experience like this.
The phenomenon of Mormon crickets has generated not only disgust but also dangerous for the safety of the roads. Insects cover the roads, creating a slippery surface that has caused car accidents. Residents have reported to KSL TV situations where cars skidded due to the presence of crickets on the road. Even access to the local hospital was hampered by the infestation of crickets, requiring extensive cleaning around the building in order to bring patients to the medical center, Steve Burrows of the Regional Hospital told local outlet KSL TV.
This is not the first outbreak of Mormon crickets in the region. According to Jeff Knight, Nevada state entomologist, these outbreaks are common in the western United States and typically last four to six years. After a dry spell, cricket eggs hatch, leading to an increase in the insect population.
The situation has become so dire that Nevadans have taken to social media to share their experience and seek possible solutions. TikTok and Twitter have been abuzz with videos and comments about Mormon crickets. Users, jokingly, have created memes and jokes about the massive presence of these insects.
Local authorities have recommended that residents take measures to protect their homes, such as seal doors and windows, and use bug lights to avoid attracting crickets at night. However, these temporary solutions have not been enough to stop the invasion. Jeff Knight assures that exterminating them is not an option, since being a cannibalistic species, it would attract more crickets to the area.
Nevadans are facing an invasion of Mormon crickets that has sparked concern and anger across the region. Viral videos on social media show the scale of this outbreak, while local authorities are working to find long-term solutions. As the Mormon cricket population continues to grow, residents are dealing with the uncomfortable and dangerous effects of this pest.
