Alberta Faces Prolonged Mosquito Season Unseen in Decades

Albertans are facing a mosquito season of unprecedented length, with experts warning it's the worst in decades. Entomologist Ken Fry described being "eaten alive" by the insects during a recent golf game, a sentiment echoed by many across the province.

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I got eaten alive.

Mike Jenkins, a biological sciences technician for the City of Edmonton, confirmed that the city is grappling with a prolonged mosquito season not witnessed since 1990. He recalled a similar experience in that year, even getting bitten on the tongue. "I got so many mosquito bites. I actually got one on my tongue back then," Jenkins said.

The surge in mosquito populations is directly linked to heavy rainfall that began in late June. This contrasts with drier summers in recent years, which prevented many mosquito eggs from hatching. "Eggs can sense that they’re now under water and that there’s organic matter there for the larvae to feed on," Fry explained. These eggs can remain viable for up to a decade, hatching into larvae that mature into adults within 10 days.

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I got so many mosquito bites. I actually got one on my tongue back then.

The city is responding to widespread public complaints about the flies, with bug spray reportedly flying off store shelves. Social media is abuzz with Albertans sharing tips on where to find repellent. The City of Edmonton is deploying trucks to spray pesticide along roadways in an effort to curb the population. Experts warn that if rainfall continues in the coming years, the province could see similar mosquito booms, as the current season's survivors will lay thousands of new eggs, replenishing the "egg bank."

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Eggs can sense that they’re now under water and that there’s organic matter there for the larvae to feed on.