Regina mosquito count remains low despite recent rainfall

Despite the rainfall in the Regina area over the past week, the mosquito population remains low, according to the city.

“Our most recent mosquito counts showed that we were averaging two mosquitoes per trap compared to our historical average of 28 mosquitoes per trap, so we’re well below the average,” explained Russell Eirich, the City of Regina’s manager of open space services.

“That said, we were starting to see some numbers start to climb a little bit towards the end of last week, so we know that they’re out there (and) we know that they’re around.”

Eirich added some traps outside the city were reporting an average of 63 mosquitoes per trap, but those traps are in areas that aren’t treated for mosquitoes.

He said the city isn’t doing anything different than previous years to bring down the mosquito counts. Instead, he suggested the weather is playing a crucial role in determining how many mosquitoes are roaming the city.

“I think it’s about timing and heat,” Eirich said. “That daytime heating with rain cycle at nighttime really accelerates mosquito counts.

“If we start to get where we get two hot days and a thunderstorm and another two hot days, that will really start to push our mosquito numbers. That’s the prime time for a larger mosquito event.”

While everyone hopes the weather does its part to prevent an explosion in the mosquito population, Eirich says people can help control it by doing their part as well.

“Get into your yards and get rid of any standing water … Make sure you’re taking your bowls in (and) draining the water (and) draining out birdbaths regularly. Anything that can hold water will breed mosquitoes,” he said.

“The more people can do in their backyards on that, it’s a great pesticide-free way of doing that. Every cup of water you get (rid of) will eliminate hundreds of mosquitoes.”