Mosquitoes return to Des Moines with a vengeance

If you're feeling extra itchy, thank Des Moines' spike in mosquitoes.

Driving the news: Mosquitoes buzz around every summer, but recent wet conditions have created perfect breeding grounds for floodwater mosquitoes, increasing pests compared to the last four years of drought.

State of play: Clarke Mosquito Control and Management, which helps the city manage pests, is spraying neighborhoods in sections based on which areas have the highest numbers of mosquitoes in traps, Laura McGowan, spokesperson for Clarke, tells Axios.

The intrigue: Some mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus in the northside near the Riverview and Union Park areas, the city announced yesterday.

• Additional spraying occurred Monday, and the Beaverdale area was sprayed with precaution yesterday.
• There are no known cases yet in people or pets.

Be smart: Wear bug repellent, long-sleeved apparel or stay inside during peak pest hours, dusk and dawn.

• Residents can report high levels of insects, learn when their neighborhood is being sprayed or opt out of treatments here .