Didn’t See Any June Bugs in Michigan This Year? You’re Not Alone

You may have noticed something missing around Michigan this summer...June bugs.

While growing up in Michigan, I remember the start of summer always came with an overwhelming number of clumsy and annoying June bugs. You’d find them climbing all over your windows at night or dead all over your porch in the morning. But this year? Nothing.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed fewer and fewer each year, but this season was different. I didn’t see a single one. And I’m not the only one wondering what’s going on with Michigan’s missing June bugs.

What Happened to the June Bugs in Michigan?

There isn’t just one simple reason, but a few things probably played a part. Michigan had some weird spring weather this year. Cooler temps and less rain can mess with the bugs' timing. June bugs live underground most of their lives as grubs and only come out when the soil gets warm enough. If that doesn’t happen at the right time, fewer bugs show up.

These bugs go through cycles where some years they’re everywhere and other years you hardly see any. This might just be one of those low years.

Plus, with more people using lawn pesticides and grub killers, a lot of the larvae never make it to adulthood. Habitat changes and predators like birds and raccoons don’t make it easier for them either.

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The topic even came up on a Reddit thread where people were sharing their own June bug sightings, or lack of them. A lot of folks said they hadn’t seen a single one all season. But others, from different parts of Michigan, said they saw plenty. So where you live in Michigan might make a big difference in how many June bugs you see.

While we didn’t see many this year, it could be an entirely different story next summer.