2 days ago
Mosquito population set to spike after weeks of rain
After record months with heavy rainfall, mosquito counts are, thankfully, running lower than normal for this time of the year. The continuous waves of wet weather limited adult mosquito activity by disrupting their flight and feeding patterns. Sadly, this will not last long.
Standing water left behind by recent storms will provide ideal conditions for mosquito eggs to hatch. Mosquitoes require this standing water to lay eggs. Granted, a female can lay roughly 200-300 eggs every three days, additional water sources will lead to a rapid increase in the mosquito population.
The Missouri Department of Conservation recommends reducing the mosquito population, which starts with reducing as much standing water as possible.
Examples of what you can do to manage mosquitoes include:
Emptying outdoor buckets, flower pots, tires, toys, and birdbaths at least every 3-4 days
Cleaning out gutters and downspouts to prevent clogs that may lead to additional pooling
Using approved insect repellents when outdoors
In short, our mosquito season has been delayed but not derailed. Expect numbers to rise in the coming weeks.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
