Mosquito Mania

That tiny terror of summer nights, the bane of backyard barbecues, and the pest that makes you question the meaning of life as you scratch your 27th bite of the evening—if there were a competition for the world’s most annoying bug, the mosquito would win hands down, probably while buzzing smugly around your ear. Mosquitoes are the ninjas of the insect world, silently zeroing in on their target with military precision. They have an uncanny ability to find the one exposed patch of skin you didn’t think to cover.

It's not just the physical annoyances that make mosquitoes the worst. These little bloodsuckers are also vectors for a host of nasty diseases, from malaria to dengue fever. It's as if nature decided mosquitoes weren't annoying enough on their own and gave them a host of deadly pathogens to spread. Having spent 29 summers in mosquito-infested outdoors—grassy woods, ponds, and lakes—I feel particularly qualified to deem this unusually wet summer as one of the worst ‘mosquito summers’ to date.

While I was unable to locate a source specific to the Grand Rapids area, we can rely on other Minnesotan organizations to research and report on Minnesota numbers. The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) out of the Twin Cities monitors numbers, diseases, and frequencies. They set out various mosquito and black fly traps throughout the district every Monday night from mid-May through September. MMCD employs a network of sweep net collections done by employees and volunteers. Any insects collected are brought back to their lab the following Tuesday and identified throughout the week, with maps published to show current mosquito and black fly activity in the metro.

MMCD reported that in the second week of May, they saw District-wide mosquito numbers go above the 10-year average by more than double that week. That may seem surprising, but it's actually in line with where we were around the same time last year. In 2023, they saw a spring surge followed by a summer of drought and low mosquito numbers for the rest of the year. They were yet to find out if this year's mosquito numbers would stay high due to regular rainfall or decline like it has in the past.

Fast forward to last week's report, MMCD says, “The first week of July is typically when mosquito season in the Twin Cities peaks, according to the 10-year average of adult surveillance. However, despite a very rainy spring and a surge in the early months, we are well below the 10-year average in July of 2024 and haven't quite reached back to the spring peak of over 300 mosquitoes per trap that were collected the week of June 11th.”

“Despite frequent rainfall this year, mosquitoes have not quite rebounded to levels we've seen in the past.” MMCD Assistant Entomologist, Dr. Scott Larson, explains why: "I think the reason we aren’t seeing huge numbers of mosquitoes (despite the near constant rain) is because we are largely missing our normally abundant Aedes vexans and Coquillettidia perturbans mosquitoes. Both species are highly dependent on rainfall, and the last three years of drought have really crashed their populations." Larson projects that next year will see higher numbers of these two species as this year has worked as a rebounding year.

Black fly numbers are surging, especially along the Minnesota River, likely due to record flooding. The trap near Belle Plaine captured over 14,000 last week in one night! High water has made it unsafe to do our typical black fly treatments, which means the numbers are much higher than they'd normally be.

If you’ve spent time near the water lately, you’ve likely been a recipient of the black fly bite as they buzz around your ankles and hover around your head. While their presence doesn’t always jump to the forefront of your thoughts when considering summer pests, they’ve definitely been noticeable this summer with the increased rain and abundant moisture. Despite the challenges posed by these tiny tormentors, understanding the patterns and behaviors of mosquitoes and black flies can help us better prepare for and mitigate their impact. As we navigate this particularly wet summer, it’s essential to stay informed about mosquito activity in our areas and take preventative measures, such as using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves, and eliminating standing water around our homes.

While it’s easy to get frustrated by the relentless buzzing and biting, it's also a reminder of the intricate balance within our ecosystem. Organizations like the MMCD play a crucial role in monitoring and controlling these pests, helping to keep our communities safe from both annoyance and disease.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that weather patterns will continue to influence insect populations. By staying vigilant and supporting ongoing research and control efforts, we can enjoy our summer activities with a little more peace of mind, even in the face of one of nature's most persistent pests. So, while we may not be able to completely escape the clutches of mosquitoes and black flies, we can certainly arm ourselves with knowledge and strategies to minimize their impact and make the most of our summer days and nights.