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Mosquito numbers up, soon to be joined by fall pests
Mosquitoes are returning to make quite the late-summer buzz.
James Kalisch, an entomologist with Nebraska Extension, said the large amount of rain over the last six weeks is playing a role. Both August and September have been wetter than normal, with more than four inches recorded in Lincoln in August and six inches in September.
“With that recent rainfall around here, there is a lot of standing water, and that’s contributing to having more (mosquitoes) than usual,” Kalisch said.
Populations of mosquitoes recorded in Lancaster County light traps were “high” in the report released Sept. 10 by the Department of Health and Human Services. Some areas in Eastern Nebraska reported “extremely high” numbers. The Culex species, which is the primary vector for West Nile Virus, was found at “very high” numbers in Lancaster County.
Kalisch said he recently drove across part of Eastern Nebraska and was surprised by the very large number of mosquitoes stuck to the front of his vehicle.
“Most of them were the Aedes species, which are floodwater mosquitoes,” he said.
Besides mosquitoes, those venturing outdoors are likely to encounter other pests, including lace bugs and minute pirate bugs.
Minute pirate bugs were a popular complaint in fall 2017, and Kalisch expects they’ll be just as much of a concern this year. They’re tiny at less than one-eighth of an inch, but pack a particularly painful bite.
“They’re also known as insidious plant bugs, which I think is more appropriate,” Kalisch said.
Lace bugs are identifiable by their dingy, white doily-like wings. They aren’t usually biters, but when they swarm or fall from trees and land on the skin, they bite as if trying to detect what they are on.
“This is the time they’re having their heyday, so as long as it’s warm and sunny, they’re going to be out,” Kalisch said. “Altogether, they can be a nuisance.”
Kalisch said some may also encounter black flies and biting midges.
“These are more typical around creeks and rivers since they develop in flowing currents,” Kalisch said.
Common insect repellants will usually repel mosquitoes, flies and gnats, but they’re no match against the others. Kalisch said the best defense is wearing light-colored clothing and loose, long sleeves and pants while outdoors.
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