It's bad news for the 2022 I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here campmates, especially those who particularly dislike insects, as there's set to be more bugs than ever before in the Australian jungle this year. Many are even likely to come face to face with cockroaches, mosquitos and giant spiders before the show has even started, as reported by the Mirror.
The major insect infestation has come about due to unsettled weather conditions. For the third year in a row, Australia has encountered yet another La Nina phenomenon, the weather event increases the chances of above average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia during spring and summer - including along the Gold Coast and Murwillumbah, where the celebs will be staying.
The damp and humid conditions have resulted in a spike in bugs, as they tend to thrive in such warm and moist climes, which has helped drive breeding numbers and grow plant life that they enjoy feeding on. Speaking to the Mirror, Professor Dieter Hochuli, who leads the Integrative Ecology Group at the University of Sydney, said another insect also set to thrive in such conditions is mosquitoes.
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He said: "The big one that is causing lots of concerns for this upcoming summer is mosquitoes. Their biology is driven by available water and higher temperatures means they will be able to reproduce quickly once the weather heats up.
"The public health risks are significant and it will be an important summer for covering up and wearing repellent. This moist environment is really helping insects deal with one of the greatest threats which is drying out."
Research by trade marketplace Hipages found the number of jobs related to termites and cockroaches in Australia had exploded by 175 per cent and 128 per cent respectively over the last year. This was accompanied by other bugs, wasps (581 per cent), ants (275 per cent) and fleas (150 per cent), also popping up in larger numbers.
Speaking on Channel Nine News, Pest2Kill director Julian Bracewell, said they have been noticing the increase in bugs, which has meant trouble for homeowners - and ITV's celebrities. "We've been seeing a massive increase in cockroaches. I kind of think we are moving into new territory because we've never had this much rain. The La Nina being here creates a pretty fertile environment. It's due to this we've seen an increase in insect breeding.
"I feel like the season usually comes around November/December when it warms up. But after a slight kind of change in temperature moving into spring the activity has gone up dramatically."
The ITV celebs will be heading Down Under for the hit show for the first time since 2019. Over the last two years, I'm A Celeb has been held in North Wales, due to coronavirus travel restrictions. But this year, it will be returning to its native filming location in Oz.
The new series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! will air Sunday, November 6, on ITV at 9pm.
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