LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The National Pest Management Association is out with its 2025 fall and winter “Bug Barometer” forecast. The information spans the country, including Nevada. The state is part of the Intermountain and Southwest region.
“Mild fall and winter weather could keep desert pests like scorpions and spiders active longer,” said the forecast.
Russell Cameron, general manager of Environmaxx Pest Control in the valley, says the forecast typically holds true locally.
“Scorpions have a tendency to be very active until it gets really cold in about January,” said Cameron.
The group’s Bug Barometer also mentions rodents for the Southwest region, saying once cooler conditions arrive, rodents will likely seek shelter indoors.
Cameron says rodents, including rats, are found all around the valley. Along with some rodents that can carry potentially deadly diseases. They can chew through wires and make holes to get into homes. Such as one rat a while back near Horizon Ridge and I-11. Cameron says it got in a bedroom of a VRBO guest.
“It actually ate her fingernails right off her hand,” said Cameron. “She admitted that they’d been out having a good time that night. Maybe had a little too much to drink. Maybe she slept through it, but she definitely woke up and knew right away what happened when she saw the opening under the door and all the droppings.”
It was a story a little hard to believe at first.
“We were not sure about that when she first told us the story, but once we located the nest down underneath the stairwell, we found pieces of her fingernail in the nest, so it was legit,” said Cameron.
Cameron says he was able to find the rat and get rid of it.
Cameron says people should clear woodpiles, debris and leaves from their home to keep different kinds of pests away. He also suggests people call a professional to take care of unwanted pests.
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