Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The mosquito population has boomed in Edmonton this summer.
According to data collected by the City of Edmonton, the number of mosquitoes in the city is 15 times higher compared to this time last year. Currently, about 30 different species have been identified in Edmonton.
In an interview with CBC News on Friday, Mike Jenkins, a senior scientist with the City of Edmonton, said this is the highest number of mosquitoes the city has seen since the early 1980s. However, he said the situation could have been even worse.
“About a decade or so of low numbers of mosquitoes have meant that the egg bank is relatively low,” said Jenkins. “So, it’s actually not as bad as it could have been.”
Despite the current high numbers of mosquitoes amid what has been a very rainy summer, Jenkins said recent rainfall has also worked in the city’s favour, as certain species of mosquitoes have actually declined due to egg collections being washed out.
He also noted that future seasons could be affected by a growing egg bank this year, as mosquito eggs are capable of surviving up to a decade before hatching.
Store owner talks about insect repellent demand
An increase in mosquitoes comes with an increase in demand for insect repellents.
Stacey Bertin, a manager at Totem Outdoor Outfitters, said that while people don’t normally come to the store for insect repellent, the store has been receiving four to five calls a day asking about bug spray.
“We’ve seen such a demand, but it is kind of surprising that there isn’t enough supply,” Bertin said, adding that the situation feels similar to hoarding trends seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. “People are buying too much of it.
“But I just don’t think that the companies could forecast that.”
While there are many options when it comes to fighting off mosquitoes, Jenkins said that DEET is the most effective and long lasting. However, he added that it should be used sparingly and only on exposed skin.
He cautioned against botanical options like lemon, eucalyptus and catnip oils.
“They work for some people but not others,” said Jenkins. “They also have a higher incidence of skin rashes and other adverse reactions than DEET does.”
WATCH | Edmonton is seeing an explosion of mosquitoes:
Record rain leads to swarms of mosquitoes in Edmonton area, just in time for summer
Record June rainfall has led to an explosion of mosquitoes in Edmonton. As Travis McEwan reports, city data is showing an early surge of the pesky bug.
As an alternative to chemical methods, he said Edmontonians can protect themselves by covering up and avoiding going out during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
