Local News
Mosquito season in Wisconsin worse than last year, could go into October
A mild winter that wouldn’t go away, followed by a warmer than usual summer, have combined for a bad mosquito season in Wisconsin.
A University of Wisconsin biology professor said mosquito numbers are higher this year and also coming in from other states.
La Crosse County reduced its vector control program last year, and now contracts with Orkin to search for disease-spreading mosquitoes.
The Orkin pest control company, which has been contracted by La Crosse County to seek out mosquitoes, also says the bug population is higher throughout the region.
“My territory covers 11 states,” John Kane with Orkin said. “So, not just La Crosse but surrounding cities, but also across the midwest, which I’ve seen a substantially more mosquito pressure than last year.”
Kane said mosquitoes generally stayed underground longer this past winter, and didn’t hatch early only to die before winter was officially over.
Kane added that if the summer continues to be warm, the mosquitoes may stick around until October.