If you’ve noticed a spike in the number of pesky mosquitoes in the Edmonton area this week, you’re not alone.
While the mosquito population typically peaks in early to mid-July in the Capital Region, the peak this year is happening right now.
“The mosquito population for this year has been a little bit unusual in terms of when the mosquitoes have appeared and when we’ve gotten our peak population,” said Mike Jenkins, biological scientist technician and resident bug man with the City of Edmonton.
“That’s largely been driven by when the rain has been falling.”
Watch below: Kids offer tips on battling mosquito season
Because of the dry start to the spring and summer, the mosquitoes were late to hatch. After weeks of rain, the pesky skeeters have come out with a vengeance.
“Recently we’ve just gotten rainfall after rainfall here and there, spotty little patches all over the place that have driven a fairly high population of mosquitoes for this time of year,” Jenkins explained.
“It’s a stealthy little ankle biter so they’re relatively small mosquitoes but they’re really good at getting in there and getting their blood meal and getting away again.”
READ MORE: Edmonton starts getting mean with mosquitoes, says dry conditions helping
Jenkins said the mosquitoes buzzing around right now are the typically summer species, which tend to come out at dawn and dusk. And while it may seem like the city is overrun with the ankle biters, Jenkins said Edmonton is above average when it comes to the mosquito population but nowhere near the record.
Comments