We’re turning to lighter hearted issues today but have an important lessor for readers. We really enjoyed this “Urban Gardner” column from yesterday’s  Wall Street Journal.

When a colleague who’d recently spent a weekend in the country suggested a column on insects, and on whether all the rain we’ve had lately has contributed to a “bumper crop” that is “twice as big” as last year’s population, I accepted the idea with alacrity.

It’s not so much that I’ve also noticed that summer 2013?s bugs are bigger, better and more ferocious than ever; whatever the year, they never disappoint in their hostility. I just welcomed the opportunity to consider insects and perhaps even why I don’t feel the same warmth toward them that I do, say, Boston Terriers or white-tailed deer. Though I hate woodchucks above all else.

Bugs are everywhere, after all. As a matter of fact, if I slept less than soundly the other night, it’s because a mosquito was buzzing my head for most of it. Indeed, my wife is fairly confident that if I develop cancer, the cause will be all the insect repellant I coat myself with before venturing outdoors.

Perhaps a brief description of our place and its resident insects is called for. Even though it’s only upstate New York, I sincerely believe that we have more, larger, more exotic and more bloodthirsty pests than anywhere else on Earth, including the Amazon.

You’ve heard of bird sanctuaries? Our property is an insect sanctuary. When Cutter boasts that its repellant (a can of which is sitting by my side at this moment, but is usually holstered to my body) is “backwoods” strength, they’re talking about our place.

My mother once got stung by a wasp here. In bed. In February.

Read the rest of the column here.

Enjoy the read but please note the substantive comment that insects are more active when it’s hot and humid:

[Cornell entomologist Jody Gangloff] said the conditions this summer are such that the critters should have no complaints. “We’re having warm weather, which tends to favor insects,” she explained. “The development is a little faster. All insects are favored by moisture and temperature,” she added. “It’s been extremely humid.”

So as the summer gets particularly muggy – insects, among them bed bugs will get more active. Be warned!