Recent heavy rainfall in Edmonton has led to a surge in mosquitoes, ready to feast on blood. Following a month of record rain, swarms of freshly-hatched mosquitoes are set to emerge across the region. Mike Jenkins, a senior scientist from the City of Edmonton, noted that mosquito populations this spring were already at their highest levels in years. The prolonged heavy rains in June are expected to further boost their numbers.
The saturated ground from the rain will create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, potentially leading to multiple generations overlapping. Years of drought in Edmonton have resulted in dormant mosquito eggs, which are now being activated by the recent rains. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in moist soil or standing water, which can hatch within days or wait for flooding conditions to trigger their development.
As the newly hatched females mature, they will seek blood meals, fueling their reproduction cycle. Despite the current moderate mosquito activity, Jenkins warns that the population is set to rapidly increase in the coming days. City efforts to manage the mosquito population include targeted treatments in known breeding habitats, such as roadside ditches and swampy areas near parks.
The increase in mosquito numbers is evident from CO2-baited traps, showing a significant rise in captures over the past week. Jenkins advises residents to take precautions by covering up and eliminating any stagnant water sources on their properties. He also highlights the presence of the Culex pipiens species, a carrier of the West Nile virus, in the region since 2018.
City initiatives focus on preventing mosquito larvae from hatching by using biological larvicides, aiming to control disease-carrying species without harming other beneficial insects. Jenkins emphasizes the importance of mosquito control not only for preventing itchy bites but also for reducing disease transmission risks. While the risk remains low for humans, the mosquitoes prefer biting birds, especially the Aedes vexans species, known as Edmonton’s common summertime pest.
