While the recent rains have provided welcome relief from the intense heat this summer, the increased downpours have led to a resurgence of mosquitoes, which is likely to worsen in the coming weeks, according to the Mosquito Research and Control Unit.
“Typically mosquitoes will emerge 12 days after heavy rainfall. We saw an increase in mosquito numbers from August 16th and numbers are likely to stay high for the next week or so as further mosquitoes emerge from more recent rainfall events,” MRCU Director Alan Wheeler said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said mosquito numbers are higher than they have been over the past months due to the consistent rainfall experienced in August; however, he noted action has been taken to help control the insects.
Wheeler said the unit was prepared for the mosquito emergence resulting from the heavy rainfall, and last week treated over 12,500 acres by air with residual larvicide.
“In addition to the larvicide operations, the MRCU also conducted routine adulticiding operations. Since August 1st, the MRCU has conducted 8 aerial control and 95 truck mounted ground [ultra low volume fogging] operations against adult mosquitoes,” he explained.
However, he said so far in August there has been rainfall everyday except for two days.
The highest recent rainfall, he said, was on 20 Aug. with an average of 13.6 cm collected in the MRCU rain gauges.
Mosquitoes are expected to emerge from that rainfall event in the first week of September, Wheeler said.
“MRCU will continue with its control operations until mosquito numbers are back to acceptable numbers in all areas,” the MRCU boss added.
The MRCU said in August so far, 14 complaints about mosquitoes have been received, a 367% increase over July during which only three complaints were logged. In June there were 22 complaints.
The average number of mosquitoes collected in traps to date this month also jumped, by 260% over July.
A total of 176.8 mosquitoes on average were collected in traps for August while 49.09 mosquitoes were collected on average in July, the MRCU said.
The unit has urged the public to avoid being outdoors at times of peak mosquito activity (7-9pm), if possible
“If you do need to go outdoors wear long sleeves and long pants and use a DEET based repellent,” the MRCU said.
This year, there have been several mosquito surges, with the explosion in numbers in mid-April due to king tides and the accompanying flooding.
That, coupled with the halt of spraying operations due to unavailability of the MRCU aircraft and pilot, added to the surge in biting mosquitoes.
Back in June complaints again rose as mosquitoes increased.
For more information, contact the MRCU on 949-2557.
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