Fox 9: May showers bring June mosquitoes in Minnesota
June 9, 2022
National Mosquito Control Awareness Week 2022 – Follow Along with MMCD!
June 21, 2022
The average number of adult mosquitoes collected per trap during the week of June 6th was above the 10-year average for the first time this year.
Every Monday night starting in mid-May through September, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District sets out a variety of mosquito and black fly traps throughout the district and employs a network of sweep net collections done by employees and volunteers. Any insects collected are brought back to our lab on Tuesday to be identified throughout the week with maps published to show current mosquito and black fly activity.
In 2021 there were essentially no weeks where mosquitoes collected in CO2 traps exceeded the 10-year average, but already in 2022 that has been accomplished. Data reported by MMCD Entomologist Diann Crane shows that human-biting mosquitoes collected in CO2 traps on the night of June 6th were higher than the 10-year average for that same week (see graph above).
Not everywhere is seeing abundant mosquitoes now, though, with a few hot spots seeing the highest numbers including northern Anoka County, along the river in St. Paul and northern Dakota County, and spots in western Hennepin and Carver counties. According to MMCD assistant entomologist Scott Larson, we had "another increase in the number of traps with over 50 mosquitoes to 76 (up from 54 the previous week and only 11 the week before that). We also had 11 traps with over 1000 human-biting mosquitoes (compared to just two last week)."
Black flies were locally abundant, mostly in the southern parts of the metro and Hennepin County. If you are noticing high numbers of adult black flies or mosquitoes, please use our Submit a Tip form and let us know!
Here are the mosquito trap counts from last Monday, June 6th:
West Nile virus activity has yet to be detected in mosquitoes collected so far.
In spite of the rise in mosquito annoyance, the good news is that mosquito-borne disease risk is relatively low right now. West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in Minnesota and it is spread by the Culex species which tends to be more active later in the summer. MMCD vector ecologist Kirk Johnson tested the first collections of Culex mosquitoes using the RAMP test method and none of the samples were positive for West Nile virus.
Mosquito-borne disease risk increases throughout the summer as mosquito numbers increase and they have more opportunity to feed on birds or other animals that may be carrying West Nile virus, La Crosse encephalitis, or one of the other diseases found in Minnesota. Residents are advised to take precautions to prevent mosquito-borne disease.
Preventative measures to reduce mosquitoes around you include:
- Removing standing water
- Applying EPA-approved insect repellent
- Wearing long sleeves and pants that are light-colored and loose fitting
- Use a fan or other method of physical control to repel mosquitoes
Get lots more tips on how to eliminate mosquito breeding habitat and fend off adult mosquitoes on our Resident's Guide.
For the latest updates on mosquito control, disease activity, and planned treatments, follow MMCD on Twitter or Facebook.
