Weekly Update – June 2nd – Warm Weather and Mosquitoes Have Arrived
June 2, 2026
Mosquito numbers actually went down on average due to dry conditions.
We are experiencing another spring that is light on mosquitoes in the Twin Cities due to dry conditions.
After a brief increase the week of May 28th, overall mosquito numbers were down again last week due to an extended period of dry conditions. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report has all of the Twin Cities categorized as "Abnormally Dry" with other sections of the state experiencing "Moderate Drought." There is some rain in the forecast for this week, but it may not be enough to kick the mosquito season into gear.
Last week a few hot spots collected hundreds of mosquitoes in CO2 traps, but this week only five traps collected over 100 and only one collected more than 130 - a trap located near Victoria in northern Carver County. All other traps were low bringing mosquito numbers more than 15 times below average for this time of year.
Floodwater mosquitoes make up the most abundant species we typically find in Minnesota, but another category of mosquitoes is a bigger concern - standing water or "container-breeding" mosquitoes in the Culex family. According to MMCD Vector Ecologist, Dr. Scott Larson, "The most interesting result of our Monday night surveillance came from the gravid trap network. Culex mosquitoes captured in the gravid traps are tested in-house for West Nile virus. As you can see in the graph below, there were lots of Culex collected this week."
MMCD tests pools of mosquitoes for West Nile virus and Vector Ecologist Dr. Jordan Mandli was able to run tests on the first batch of Culex mosquitoes and found no West Nile virus positive samples. Mandli expects Culex activity to increase, so there will be more testing in the coming weeks.
It's important to remember that mosquitoes that breed in standing water are not as dependent on rain because they will find existing water sources to lay their eggs - many of these being human-made. When it's dry, be sure to take extra precaution to dump out standing water and reduce mosquito habitat. Check out our Resident's Guide with tips to reduce mosquito habitat.
Here are this week's District Maps:
Waiting on Rain to Determine Next Course of Treatments
Last week a small brood of mosquitoes was treated by helicopter in Chanhassen, but that was the only helicopter activity since cattail mosquito acres were completed the week before. Now we wait for rain to determine when the helicopters will next need to be active. There is a chance helicopters may do some work late this week or early next week to pre-treat some highly productive mosquito breeding sites.
Here are some of the numbers from the week of June 1-5, courtesy of MMCD Assistant Director Jon Peterson:
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Treated 80 acres by helicopter
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Treated 918 acres by drone
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Treated 514 sites by drone
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Inspected and/or treated 2,295 ground sites and structures
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Treated 557 ground site acres
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Treated over 48,000 Catch Basins
Those catch basin treatments are particularly important as we face the risk of West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes.
Connect with MMCD This Summer!
Did you know the Weekly Buzz has a video version, too?! MMCD Seasonal Public Affairs Assistant Kylie Rich-Vetsch has been recapping the Weekly Buzz on Instagram. We also post pictures, videos, and announcements on our various social media channels. Follow us for the latest on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Bluesky.
We had a busy week at events last week and we were happy to talk to lots of people at Grand Old Day, Take a Kid Fishing (West St. Paul), Hugo Neighbor Days Parade, and much, much more! We've got more coming up this week, so come see us!
Upcoming Events
Come out and see staff from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District at one of these upcoming events:
- Wednesday, June 10th - Richfield Summer Kick-Off in Richfield
- Thursday, June 11th - Community Partner of the Day at Roseville Public Library
- Friday, June 12th - Rosemount Safety Camp in Rosemount
- Friday, June 12th - Father Hennepin Days Parade in Champlin
- Sunday, June 13th - Touch-a-Truck in Little Canada
Would you like MMCD to come to your event or speak to your group? E-mail Alex Carlson!
Mosquito Bite Games
Summer is a great time for sports and there may not be a more important one than the Mosquito Bite Games! This video pits two contestants against one another to see who can prevent the most mosquitoes. Check it out:
Win an MMCD T-Shirt!
Here is your chance to win either the new MMCD Attack Larvae T-Shirt or last year's Laser Loon shirt. Sign up for "The Weekly Buzz" newsletter with Weekly Mosquito updates. Each week there will be a trivia question at the end. Two correct answers each week will get a shirt!
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