By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The lingering drought has resulted in wilting plant and water restrictions. But there's another problem - more unwanted creepy crawlers around homes across the Southeast.
Wildlife experts and pest control professionals say insect infestations are up as increased numbers of ants and cockroaches enter homes seeking water.
Rodents and snakes - which typically prefer to avoid humans - are also venturing into more densely populated areas as their water sources dry up and food grows scarce.
Brian Lee, manager of the Terminix branch in Huntsville, estimates that calls are up 162 percent from last year at this time. The national pest control firm's Birmingham branch reported 20 to 25 percent more calls than usual.
Orkin, another national pest control firm, also reports a rise in insect infestations across the Southeast. The Montgomery branch is seeing a 20 percent increase in ant activity and a 10 percent increase in roach activity.
Both pest control firms have also noticed a spike in rodent calls. Rodents generally enter homes in October as temperatures fall, and homeowners usually report infestations in January and February.
Most of the Southeast remain in a moderate drought, and most of Alabama and parts of five other states are in an extreme drought.
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