It’s only halfway through 2020 and it has already been a year of immense challenges. Toronto, Canada and the whole world are facing a lot of strife and worries going into the summer. And while no one wants any more bad news, but sadly there is one more issue that Torontonians may have to worry about, mosquito season could wind up being very bad.
Reports show that recent weather conditions in the GTA have created a prime environment for high mosquito populations over the next few months. Toronto was plagued with high amounts of rain and moisture in the spring months, which allows for excellent breeding conditions for the tiny insect. This is a stark difference to the last couple of years, where near-drought conditions in Southern Ontario allowed for mild mosquito seasons. Because of the recent lull, increased mosquito activity may come as more of a shock to Toronto this year than it usually would.
And sadly it’s not just Toronto. Most of North America has faced wetter than usual springs this year, and are forecasted to be facing warmer and wetter than average summers. This means mosquito populations have several chances to grow across the region, and will likely be a pain for the average citizen.
Mosquitos are one of the most common and problematic pests on the planet. They breed easily and thrive in moist and warm environments, which is why current weather forecasts help predict a high mosquito population growth. Mosquitos require standing water to breed. So in order to avoid mosquito infestations, do everything you can to avoid unnecessary sources of standing water on your property. Almost all mosquitos are harmless, but large numbers of mosquitos can contaminate food and carry diseases that cause severe symptoms like fevers, diarrhea, vomiting, and even death. A common sign of a mosquito overabundance is the presence of one of their greatest enemies, the dragonfly. Dragonflies tend to reside and hunt in areas where mosquitos are abundant. So if you want the mosquito population in your neighbourhood to decrease this summer, leave the dragonflies alone to do their work.
The rough mosquito season is part of a wider trend. Due to the continuing effects of urbanization and global warming, the mosquito season is longer and the insects have more opportunities to thrive in more and more places. Rising average global temperatures mean that the pests are able to stay in northern regions, like Toronto, for longer amounts of the year. What’s even more pressing is that more species of mosquitos, that carry more dangerous diseases, are beginning to migrate more and more north. Two examples are yellow fever and Asian tiger mosquitos, who in recent years have been found in regions as far north as Illinois.
Whether we are set to face a major mosquito infestation or not is still uncertain. No one can be sure until the weather for July and August is known. If those months prove to have low precipitation, mosquito numbers will fall. However, if precipitation proves to be high, then Toronto could face some of the highest summer mosquito populations in recent memory.
If you have any signs of infestation or have any other issues, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by calling us at 647 997 5080 or Order Your Free Pest Inspection with www.ProvincialPestControl.Ca