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Edmonton mosquito population buzzing after heavy rainfall

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Nikqueta Mazur, a biological sciences technologist with the City of Edmonton Pest management lab looking for mosquito larvae on the South Campus of the University of Alberta on June 20, 2023. Photo by Shaughn Butts /Postmedia
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Edmontonians might find themselves swatting a lot more as mosquitoes are starting off the summer season on a high.

Sarah McPike, a senior biological sciences technologist for the city’s Pest Management Lab, said the city is seeing a population boom of mosquitoes following heavy rainfall in mid to late June.

“This week we had about 7000 adult mosquitoes in seven traps and last year we had 2500 in eight traps,” said McPike.

There are about 30 species of mosquitoes in the Edmonton area. Many are referred to as floodwater species. These species will lay their eggs on vegetation near the water and are activated when water rises after heavy rainfall that is followed by warm weather.

McPike said it is normal to see a wave of adult mosquitos after this kind of weather.

In order to further control the mosquito population this year, the city will apply pesticides targeting aquatic larvae, focusing on roadside ditch and treatment from ground crews in industrial areas, ravines and open water that’s found in fields within Edmonton.

Last year, the city cancelled its aerial spraying programs, saying it would have had little impact given there was not a lot of water on the ground and even if helicopters were available, they may not have been brought in.

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