If it feels like mosquitoes, garden pests, and other warm‑weather nuisances are hanging around longer than they used to, there’s good reason. A new report and interactive map from The Old Farmer’s Almanac highlights how growing seasons have lengthened across much of the United States — and what that means for gardeners, homeowners, and anyone spending time outdoors.
According to the Almanac, extended periods of warm weather give common pests more time to feed, reproduce, and remain active. That means insects such as aphids, wireworms, squash vine borers, Japanese beetles, stink bugs, and weevils may be showing up earlier in the season, staying later, and causing more damage than in years past.
The Almanac’s new map illustrates where these changes are most pronounced, offering gardeners a clearer picture of how shifting climate patterns may affect their landscapes. The full story and map can be explored at Almanac.com/Pest-Season.
To help gardeners diagnose issues quickly, the Almanac is also promoting its Plant Problem ID Tool — a simple, step‑by‑step resource designed to identify whether a plant is suffering from pests, disease, or nutrient deficiencies. Users select their plant, indicate which part is affected, describe the symptoms, and receive an instant identification along with prevention and control tips. The tool is available at Almanac.com/Tools, alongside other helpful gardening resources.
For those wanting deeper guidance, the Almanac’s Garden Pest Library offers dozens of detailed guides on the most common troublemakers found in American gardens. From tiny sap‑sucking aphids to destructive vine borers and persistent beetles, each entry provides practical advice to help gardeners protect their plants throughout the extended growing season.
As warm weather stretches deeper into the calendar, understanding how pests adapt — and how to respond — is becoming an essential part of successful gardening. The Old Farmer’s Almanac continues to provide tools and insights to help gardeners stay one step ahead.
