Expect ‘worse than usual’ year for mosquitoes

This year’s warm weather is ideal for mosquitoes

WATERLOO — This mosquito season looks as if it will be especially pesky for Waterloo Region.

The bothersome bugs got an early boost thanks to the late snowfall followed by unusually warm temperatures.

“They’re coming out in that warmer weather, finding lots of prime breeding grounds to lay eggs,” said University of Waterloo biology researcher and lecturer Marcel Pinheiro.

He’s predicting a “worse than usual year.”

Mosquitoes typically emerge at the end of May and early June.

“I think we are seeing already increased numbers compared to

past years,” he said.

The late winter and early spring set the stage for mosquitoes. The snow melted and then the rising mercury created warm pools of standing water.

“That’s a perfect breeding ground,” Pinheiro said.

After the eggs are laid in water, it takes another seven to 10 days until the mosquitoes fly out of their soggy nursery — and start looking for a meal of blood from an unsuspecting host.

“Warm weather speeds that up further,” Pinheiro said.

The Region of Waterloo already started applying larvicide to catch basins, storm drains, ditches and other spots where there’s standing water in its annual effort to control mosquito populations that can carry the West Nile virus. The program, which started May 15, will continue until Oct. 1.

Waterloo Region’s public health department urges people to take precautions to reduce the risk of West Nile virus.

Around the home, it advises people to reduce standing water and use screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

“It doesn’t take a lot of water standing around for a few days,” Pinheiro said.

Personal protection includes wearing light-coloured clothing, covering up with long sleeves, pants, hat, socks and closed-toe shoes, and insect repellent such as DEET or Icaridin.

“Dusk and dawn is when we see most of the mosquito activity,” Pinheiro said.

Mosquitoes also pose a risk to pets, even in their own backyards. “Dogs are susceptible to heartworm, which is transferred by mosquitoes.”