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In the mid-latitude climates, insect species have a dormant period during the cold winter months, meaning that there is a limited period of time throughout the year when they can reproduce. In regions where there is little seasonal difference in rainfall and temperature, such as in the equatorial rainforests, insects do not have a dormant [...]

Is it possible for droughts to become more common even if annual rainfall amounts increase? Overall annual precipitation in the lower 48 states has been increasing since the early 20th century, and since the 1970’s it has been increasing in the Eastern United States by about one-inch per decade. Over the last forty years, this [...]

The northeastern quadrant of the contiguous United States, defined as the area from Minnesota south to Missouri and then east to Maryland and north to Maine, has been experiencing changes in its precipitation regime. While the average annual number of “wet” days (or days when rain falls) in that region declined by about four percent [...]

Ants are one of the most common and unwelcome household pests.  While rains can help keep populations in-check by flooding nests and drowning adult ants, dry weather and drought can send them searching for food and water.  Warm, dry summer weather is prime ant-invasion time!
Viewer Tip: There are easy steps you can take at home to keep ants at [...]

In an average summer in the U.S., about 1500 people die from excessive heat events.  Excessive heat may disproportionately affect people in cities, where paved roads, buildings, and other “hard” surfaces absorb and trap heat from the sun.  This “urban heat island effect” means that cities do not cool down at night like rural areas do, offering [...]

One of summer’s favorite treats is sweet corn, but the same hot weather that brings us the crop makes its sweetness short-lived once it’s picked. At 86° F, more than half of the sugars in an ear of corn may convert to starch in a single day. Whether you’re growing your own corn in the [...]

The U.S. is home to more than 200 species of mosquito!  Each species has unique behaviors and bites certain types of animals, but all mosquitoes have the same, four stage life-cycle.

Egg: After a female mosquito has a blood meal (males do not bite), she lays her eggs in a place where they will be exposed to water - [...]

Recent peer-reviewed research is making interesting links between nature and kids’ health and well-being.  Some examples include:

Childhood Obesity Prevention: Unstructured outdoor play encourages kids to be physically active.
Stress Relief: Higher levels of exposure to the natural environment among elementary school children are tied to lower levels of stress.
Asthma Prevalence: A recent study in New York City [...]

As of 2007, only two watersheds in the continental U.S. were free of established non-native (invasive) fish, and 58 percent of watersheds had more than 10 established non-native species!  In the Great Lakes Region, round gobies, which were originally introduced into the Lakes by large cargo ships, have had serious impacts on native bottom-dwelling fish, [...]

About 20 percent of homes in the U.S. have at least two refrigerators, and often, one of those refrigerators is kept in the garage.  While the extra space may be helpful, the extra energy used to power a refrigerator in the garage can add up fast - especially during hot weather, when garage temperatures can be significantly [...]

Did you know that just five drips per minute from a leaky faucet can waste 22 gallons of water in a month, and 263 gallons in a year?  One drip per second wastes 8.6 gallons in one day, and more than 3,100 gallons in a year.  While it may seem simple, fixing leaky fixtures around [...]

Did you know that the temperature inside a car can rise by up to 40 degrees in one hour, even when outdoor temperatures are as low as 72 degrees Fahrenheit?  When the sun shines on car windows, they collect light and trap heat inside the vehicle, raising temperature quickly.  And, as the outdoor temperature rises, the effect becomes [...]

Hot weather puts extra strain on the heart and lungs, so when heat waves hit, more people experience heart attacks and strokes. But the heat also has a side effect: when the temperature rises, pollution from cars, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, motor-scooters, and factories is more easily converted into ground level ozone, an air pollutant that [...]

Warm weather can bring insect pests to yards and gardens.  Some farmers enlist help from birds and bats to help control crowds of unwanted insects, and gardeners can reap the same benefits.  Bats eat many insects that are a nuisance to humans - a small brown bat can devour up to 600 mosquitoes in an [...]

During the heat of summer, shade from trees helps cool us and our homes.  Trees can also pay dividends by shading our streets, which keeps pavement in better condition.  Shaded streets require less maintenance and can save up to 60 percent on repaving costs over a 30-year period!  Shade from trees also cools pavements, lessening the urban heat island effect [...]

The same warm summer temperatures that make fresh fruits and vegetables ripen in the field can shorten the life of produce once it’s picked.  Proper handling of your farm or garden harvest can help keep its fresh-picked taste for several days.
Viewer Tip: Harvest fruits and vegetables during the coolest time of the day, which is [...]

After some natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes, standing water and excess moisture can cause mold to grow in homes and buildings.  If you are returning to a home or building that has been flooded, it is important to remember that mold may be present.  Some individuals - including those with asthma, allergies, breathing difficulties, or compromised [...]

Drought is hard on plants, from flowers and garden vegetables to trees.  When adequate rain isn’t falling, it can be difficult to get enough water on plants to keep them looking healthy.  But, the soil under your plants can play a big role in helping them weather a dry spell.  For each one percent gain [...]

Many people will be visiting lake or ocean beaches, camping, hiking, and participating in other outdoor activities during the summer months.  As you plan for outdoor recreation activities, remember to keep lightning safety in mind.  As of July 2008, there have been 23 lightning fatalities in the U.S. this year, and all of them have occurred outdoors.
Viewer Tip: [...]

At more than 49,400 square miles (128,000 square kilometers), lawns in the U.S. cover three times more area than corn crops, making them the largest irrigated crop in the country!  The typical home lawn only needs about one-inch of water per week - including water received from rainfall - which means that you can save [...]