After the hot weather, fires, and floods that hit Bulgaria, the country was attacked by flocks of crickets.
 
The insects destroyed everything in their way. The most seriously affected region is Bourgas where their density reached 15 to 20 of these insects per sq m, Monitor daily reported.
 
Large numbers of crickets have been reported in villages near the towns of Radomir, Stara Zagora, Sliven, Montana, Kurdjali, Haskovo and Plovdiv. The crickets attack sunflower fields, fruit gardens, and stubble-fields.
 
People from the affected settlements complained that the insects invaded their houses, crept under their blankets, and jumped on their faces.
 
Environmentalists said that the attacks resulted from hot and dry weather, and irregular anti-insects treatment of land in the affected areas.
 
If municipalities do not take urgent measures against the insects, crops would be seriously damaged, National Civil Protection Service representatives said.
 
Experts said they expected the rain that fell in recent days to help deal with the problem.