In the story of mosquitoes in 2020, so far, the bad news is the mosquito numbers are certainly higher this month since all of the rain we have received in the area. The good news, though, is that this week should dry things up and help with population control. Temperatures are expected to hover around the 30-degree mark all week.

"Since many mosquitoes reproduce and develop in pools of standing water, more rain and thus more pools will lead to more mosquitoes," explained Sean Prager, Entomologist with the University of Saskatchewan. "With any luck, the weather will be a bit drier for a while and that should help some."

Now, for the great news.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health reported on July 18, 2020, that there is currently little to no risk of West Nile Virus in the mosquito populations. While the province saw deaths in both 2017 and 2018 from WNV, last year there were zero, and this year so far, no human or animal cases have been recorded.

Furthermore, the mosquitos themselves are showing no positive tests for the virus.

Mosquito surveillance results show low numbers of first and second-generation Culex tarsalis mosquitoes were detected in southern Saskatchewan this past week. To date, all Culex tarsalis mosquito pools tested for WNV have been negative. At this time, the risk of WNV transmission to humans is low. Other mosquito species are being detected in higher numbers in areas that received significant rainfall. Wet conditions and warming nighttime temperatures will extend biting and egg-laying activities in the evening and early overnight periods. Mosquito activity is highest on warm evenings and between dusk and dawn.