“Definitely worse”: Lots more mosquitoes across Wisconsin this summer

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – If you feel like you’re being eaten alive by mosquitoes this year, it’s not just you. 

Across Wisconsin, they’re out, and they’re hungry. All the rain we’ve had over the last month or so has given them a perfect opportunity to breed. 

“They’re definitely worse this year, and I would definitely expect them to stay worse as well,” said Breanna Neerland, Associate Certified Entomologist at Kwik Kill Pest Control. “We’ve got so much heavy rainfall. We’re prime habitat for them anyway, because we have the woodlands, the lakes, the streams.” 

Wisconsin is home to 55 species of mosquito. The aedes genus mosquitoes have been waiting years to come out and bite us. 

“Their eggs can remain dormant for up to five years. So they’re there, they’re always there,” Neerland said. “Then when we have high rainfall years, they’re going to be more prevalent.” 

If you want to keep the mosquito population lower on your own property, Neerland said the number one thing you can do is eliminate any sources of standing water. 

“Dump those flower pots out,” she said. “Don’t let dog or kiddie pools sit. Fill them when you’re going to use them, and then dump them out. Clean the gutters.” 

Their bites aren’t just annoying, they can also be unsafe. 

“The Aedes genus is responsible for La Crosse encephalitis and dog heartworm,” Neerland said. “Then our Culex genus, they’re the ones that are responsible for the St. Louis encephalitis and also West Nile virus.”

If you’ll be in an area where you’re essentially mosquito bait, Neerland recommends using at least 10% DEET and wearing clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible.