This summer, some prairie cities faced a surge in mosquito populations, leading to a shortage of bug spray in stores in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta due to high demand. Data from the City of Edmonton revealed a significant increase in mosquitoes in July compared to the previous year, although not record-breaking numbers. Saskatoon and Winnipeg also reported higher mosquito counts in July.
Experts attribute the mosquito boom to the record rainfall experienced in southern Ontario this summer. Fiona Hunter, a professor at Brock University, noted a rise in the Ochlerotatus trivittatus species in southern Ontario, favored by the wet conditions. The species lays eggs in water-filled areas, thriving in the rainy environment this year.
Persistent biting by the Ochlerotatus trivittatus species has increased human encounters, contributing to heightened mosquito activity. The heavy rainfall in the Greater Toronto Area and other parts of southern Ontario likely triggered the hatching of dormant mosquito eggs, further exacerbating the situation.
As temperatures cool down, mosquito populations are expected to decrease. Mosquitoes struggle in extreme heat and dry out, ultimately dying in cold temperatures. Recent cold snaps in Alberta have already reduced mosquito populations. Edmonton and Calgary experienced a severe mosquito season earlier but saw a decline in numbers as temperatures dropped. However, a warm fall in Edmonton may delay a significant decrease in mosquito numbers compared to previous years.
While temperatures are predicted to rise again in the region, mosquito populations are not expected to reach the levels seen in central Canada.
