Edmonton has 15 times more mosquitoes now than at same time last year, city scientist says
Edmonton is experiencing a mosquito population 15 times higher than last year, the highest levels seen since the 1980s. While the city scientist notes that the egg bank is currently low, the surge has led to supply shortages for insect repellent.
Why it matters
The situation highlights how climate-related environmental changes can lead to public health concerns and shifts in consumer behavior, such as hoarding.
According to data collected by the City of Edmonton, the number of mosquitoes in the city is 15 times higher compared to this time last year. Currently, about 30 different species have been identified in Edmonton.
In an interview with CBC News on Friday, Mike Jenkins, a senior scientist with the City of Edmonton, said this is the highest number of mosquitoes the city has seen since the early 1980s. However, he said the situation could have been even worse.
“About a decade or so of low numbers of mosquitoes have meant that the egg bank is relatively low,” said Jenkins. “So, it’s actually not as bad as it could have been.”
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