I love bugs.
Insects are an integral element to a thriving ecosystem. They decompose organic materials, serve as a good source of food for other creatures and do other good things for the environment.
I go out of my way to scoop struggling bumblebees out of pool water. I trap every spider I find in my apartment inside a glass and place it safely outside until there are no clean cups left and frankly, I would rather fall on my face than step on an ant.
Corrin Bond
I just love bugs. Bugs are great. What”s not great, however, is the apocalyptic plague of gnats that swarm Moscow every fall. If you”ve gone outside within the last week, you”ll know what I mean.
These tiny bugs are immune to the idea of personal space – they fly into unassuming mouths mid-conversation, they cling to shirts as if cotton were flypaper and they make walking around campus or going to class a strenuous and frustrating endeavor.
The buggers are so incessant that I”m beginning to question my love for insects. So I decided to do a bit of research and figure out what exactly this insect is that”s driving the whole town mad.
These pests in particular are known as blue ash aphids, or “smoky-winged” aphids.
A report published by Montana State University states that although the blue ash aphid is a societal nuisance, the pests do not cause damage to the regional foliage.
Early October is their mating season, which explains the maddening droves of little blue bugs.
Apparently, these infestations aren”t exclusive to Moscow, either. The blue ash aphids also choose to congregate in Eastern Washington, Spokane and other areas in the Inland Northwest.
While I”m not convinced that these tiny blue beasts have any environmental significance, it”s clear by now that they”re here to stay for the time being.
Instead of trying to fight their presence, it”s best to accept that they”ll be around for at least the next month and to remember that being bitter about them isn”t going to make them go away any faster. It”s only going to put you in a grumpy mood.
Instead of letting these pests ruin one of the most beautiful times of the year, remember that there are plenty of ways to minimize the havoc they wreak.
I promise there are better solutions than taping a hand-held fan to your forehead while walking to school or wildly swatting your arms around your head like you”re fighting off an invisible legion.
Those who walk or bike around campus should try wearing sunglasses and wrapping a bandana around your mouth and nose. It”s not going to keep the aphids off of your clothes, but at least it will keep you from inhaling a mouthful of little blue bugs.
It”s also a good idea to avoid puffy clothing. They seem to be particularly fond of infinity scarves and wooly fabrics.
Finally, be aware of what time of day you”ll be going outside. They seem to be far more active in the early morning and the late afternoon or early evening. If you have to go out when they tend to be most active, make sure to mentally prepare yourself for the onslaught of frenzied blue ash aphids.
They may be nuisances, but at the end of the day, these gnats are harmless. They might be incessantly annoying and make you never want to go outside for the rest of your life, but they”re a part of Moscow – this wild, beautiful, seasonally aphid-infested place we call home.
This too shall pass, and in the meantime, don”t let these little blue bugs prevent you from enjoying this beautiful time of year.
Corrin Bond can be reached at [email protected]