Saskatoon has seen an increase in mosquitos this year, and the city’s entomologist says rain mixed with high temperatures are to blame.

Sydney Worthy says between July 7th and 13th, there was an average of 68 mosquitos found per trap. This week last year, that average was four.

“So, moisture is a big part of it. That gives us the standing water that they need to develop, but the warm temperatures that we’re getting now help them develop faster.”

 She says mosquito numbers like these haven’t been seen in several years.

“We’re a lot higher than the last few years, especially because of drought. We’re higher than the ten-year average because of those years of drought really dragging down that number, but we have seen numbers similar to this in the past.”

Worthy reminds the public to replace expired bug spray. You can reduce mosquito presence on your property by eliminating places for them to develop. She says mosquitos tend to hang out in long grass, so cutting your grass can help. Dumping out rainwater that’s been accumulating can also eliminate places for mosquitos to develop.

“Standing water can occur in a lot of places that people might not think, in eaves troughs, in kid’s toys, in plant pots. There are a lot of little, tiny places where even just a few mosquitos can develop.”

She expects the mosquito population to taper off near the end of August and the beginning of September.