Last month, the National Pest Management Association released the , its bi-annual forecast focused on the health threats posed by insects and the infectious diseases they carry.
One of the locations cited on that index was Cleveland. The index noted that the mild and wet winter could mean an increased occurrence of ticks and cockroaches.
Those changes track with some patterns that scientists have observed in recent years, including the impact that .
Thursday on the 鈥淪ound of Ideas,鈥� we鈥檒l talk to an entomologist about how a warming climate, as well as more rain in the Midwest, is likely influencing the spread of mosquitoes and other insects that can carry life-threatening diseases like West Nile virus.
Then, we鈥檒l pivot and talk to some individuals who are actually embracing the cold.
鈥淐old plunges鈥� are becoming , whether its icing down sore muscles after a workout, or dipping into your own ice bath to clear the mind.
We鈥檒l meet some local 鈥�polar bears鈥� who submerge themselves in the Chagrin River on a near-weekly basis, even when the temperatures drop below freezing.
Finally, another episode of our music podcast 鈥淪huffle.鈥�
Guests:
- Megan Meuti, PhD, Associate Professor of Entomology, The Ohio State University
- Claire Hilbers, Competitive Ice Swimmer
- Christopher Bazzoli, MD, Emergency Physician, Assistant Professor
- Josh Sherman, Founder, Local Polar Plunge Group
- Theresa May, Musician
- Amanda Rabinowitz, Host and Producer, "All Things Considered" and "Shuffle"
