The heavy rains and flooding earlier this month mean mosquito season is hitting Wisconsin hard.
The air is buzzing heavily with the blood sucking insects and UW-Madison entomologist Phil Pellitteri says it's not hard to figure out why. He says all the rain and flooding in recent weeks has provided ample breeding areas for mosquitoes.
Pellitteri warns the mosquito population is expected to stay strong in the coming weeks. Even as the waters recede, he says it could increase the risk of mosquitoes that carry diseases, because the available water will have more concentrated levels of pollution.
However, Pellitteri says eliminating small pockets of standing water and maintaining your yard can help get the population back under control. He says property owners should check any standing water for larvae that may be swimming around, and they should take steps to drain those areas. Mosquitoes can even lay their eggs in hidden areas, such as flower pots and bird baths.
It may take awhile to see the population drop off though. Pellitteri says you should expect the mosquitoes to be “intense” for at least the next few weeks.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 :59)
