Texas recently got some much-needed rain this month, which could further complicate its pest control issues, according to The Delta Farm Press.

John Norman, a retired entomologist and editor of the Pest Cast newsletter, reported that wet conditions in the Lower Rio Grande Valley have led to an increase in pest activity over the past week.

“Rains started on Tuesday night and are predicted to last through Saturday morning," Norman wrote. "Doppler radar rain estimated amounts from Tuesday night to Friday morning, May 11, ranged from one-half to 11 inches near McCook. The timing of the rain could not have been much more perfect for cotton and grain sorghum crops in the valley.”

The Pest Cast newsletter is designed to help farmers in south Texas deal with various pest issues and prepare their crops so as not to be impacted from any type of insect infestation. The newsletter is focused on nearby cotton and grain growers, according to The Southwest Farm Press and provides additional information related to crop progress and what conditions are affecting production in the valley.

Students at Pulse High School in the East Tremont section of the Bronx in New York City were allowed to return to the school following a bed bug-related evacuation, The New York Daily News reports.

Chemicals were used to initiate the bed bug control. Sheldon Nelson, a senior at the school, told the news source the principal informed the students that the chemical was so strong that the students couldn't be in the school when it was used.

“I don’t want to go in the school, because you know once bed bugs get in your home, they won’t get out,” Nelson, 17, told the Daily News.

Nelson was right, as evidence indicates that bed bugs can spread quickly if they latch on to clothing and other items like a student's backpack, which could cause an infestation at their home or some other location. There have also been reports of bed bugs starting in the home and moving to a school or office after attaching themselves.

Department of Education officials added that since the school is on a leased site, it was the responsibility of the landlord to undertake exterminating responsibilities.

The National Pest Management Association is contributing to National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month this May and warning homeowners against the dangers of cockroaches.

The NPMA recommends homeowners seal the cracks and holes surrounding their home, properly ventilate basements and other crawl spaces, and keep garbage and other food items away from living areas.

"Cockroach droppings, saliva, shed skin and other body parts contain potent allergen proteins known to cause allergic reactions and exacerbate asthma symptoms, especially in children," said Dr. Jorge Parada, medical spokesperson for the NPMA. "Unfortunately, people who are exposed to these allergens during childhood are at an increased risk for bronchial hyperresponsiveness and asthma problems later in life."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 25.7 million people, including 7.1 million children, have asthma.

Pest control companies across the country will likely have their hands full this month as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month works to bring the information of cockroach influence on the issue to light. In addition to other pest situations, cockroach infestations can be attributed to warm weather, which many parts of the country have experienced lately.

The avocado industry in California could be negatively affected by the presence of a new beetle.

According to a report from The Los Angeles Times, the Tea Shot Hole Borer has been detected in avocado trees found in several communities in southern California. The beetle spreads a fungus that scars the tree bark and causes branches to shrivel up and die.

A report from The Press-Enterprise revealed the bug was identified by a researcher at the University of California, Riverside and the damage done by it could be severe, with Riverside County's avocado crop valued at $24 million in 2010 alone.

As a result, members of the California Avocado Commission as well as members of other growers' organizations met on May 8 to discuss the situation.

“We’re just trying to understand what the problem actually is,” Scott Bauwens, of West Pak Avocado in Temecula, told The Press-Enterprise. “Everyone is racing to this meeting, because California has done a good job of localizing pests.”

In Florida, a similar infestation is under way, troubling pest control companies across the state. The Redbay Ambrosia Beetle is spreading the laurel wilt, a deadly tree disease that affects avocado trees in Miami-Dade County and elsewhere in South Florida.

Pennsylvania has reported the earliest detection of a mosquito that carries the West Nile virus since testing began 12 years ago.

Citizens throughout the state are urged to be aware and use any methods possible to avoid contracting the disease found in a mosquito that was discovered May 3 in Exeter Township, Berks County.

"The unseasonably warm weather in March caused the virus cycle to begin early this year," said Mike Krancer, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary. "Our staff will continue to monitor mosquito populations and conduct spraying to reduce the threat to public health."

Department of Health Secretary Dr. Eli Avila added there is no human vaccine for the West Nile virus and the best method to avoid the disease is to take the typical precautions against mosquito bites.

Mosquito infestations occur across the country and pest control companies across Pennsylvania often deal with other pests, including bed bugs, ticks, termites and more. Many of these insects can spread from the home to the office or school, which is why proactive measures should be taken to prevent the spread of infestation.