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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Mark Jefferies & David Kent

I'm A Celebrity contestants to face more 'bugs than ever after horrific weather

The stars of I'm A Celebrity will get to experience more bugs than the series has ever seen before, after a freak weather event in Australia caused insects to increase massivlely.

The region's third straight La Nina weather event is continuing at the moment, which increases the chance of above-average rainfall for northern and eastern Australia during spring and summer.

Bugs are most happy in moist, humid and damp conditions, which has helped drive breeding numbers and grow plant life they feed on in places like the camp.

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One headline in Australian media earlier this week described an "explosion" of cockroaches whilst others warned rats and spiders have increased in numbers on the Gold Coast where the celebs are staying, whilst the campsite will also be an ideal breeding ground.

Professor Dieter Hochuli, who leads the Integrative Ecology Group at the University of Sydney, told the Daily Star that mosquitoes are also bound to thrive under these conditions.

"The big one that is causing lots of concerns for this upcoming summer is mosquitoes," he said.

"Their biology is driven by available water and higher temperatures mean 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."

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."

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! returns to Virgin Media on November 6.

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