Winnipeg's average mosquito trap counts rise over the weekend

Mosquitoes are once again emerging in Winnipeg, and one expert says the problem is just getting started this year.

Citywide average trap counts ballooned over the weekend in Winnipeg, with the daily average more than quadrupling in 24 hours.

Entomologist Taz Stuart, director of technical operations at Poulin’s Pest Control, said while adult mosquitoes are emerging, the population isn’t as bad as people might think.

“We’ve had four years literally in a row of almost no mosquitoes so people’s tolerance levels might be a little reduced," Stuart said. "It’s important people realize you probably will see some mosquitoes.”

He warns that could change with the coming weather. Between rain and flooding, Stuart said there will be plenty of standing water for the insects to breed in.

"Our evening temperatures have sort of kept everything at bay, slowly making them come out," he said. "Now I hear it’s going to get warmer, the 30s potentially next week. That could create the conditions where you could see a large population of mosquitoes emerge."

Stuart notes that Culex Tarsalis, the mosquito that can carry West Nile Virus, needs hot, dry weather to breed—meaning the risk is low.

David Wade the superintendent of insect control with the City of Winnipeg, said the city is staying on top of larviciding, and feels the mosquito population is in control for now.

"We are confident that the mosquitoes that are coming from the end of May rainfall will be kept at a manageable level below that 25 threshold," he said.

The city released updated numbers for Sunday, showing the citywide daily average was 14, with the Adulticiding Factor Analysis (AFA) level at medium.

The AFA level is based on a number of criteria, including soil moisture conditions, forecasted rainfall and trap counts. The AFA must be at high to initiate the city’s residential fogging program.

Sunday’s numbers found the highest average in the northwest portion of the city at 22 mosquitoes, with one of its traps reporting 95 mosquitoes.

The northeast quadrant had an average of 16, while the southeast had 12. The southwest had the lowest daily average trap count with six.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s daily average was down from Saturday’s, which sat at 25. That figure was a big jump from Friday’s trap counts, which had a citywide average of four.

The numbers come after a rainy weekend in Manitoba. Environment Canada estimates the city received nearly 12 millimetres of precipitation on Sunday.

With the number of mosquitoes still relatively low, the city is reminding residents everyone can help.

“Every property owner should be checking for standing water and if there’s any water that accumulates for four to seven days, be dumping it, treating it or covering it," Wade said.