Experts say that current mosquito numbers may not reflect the impact of recent weather events. (Image Credit: Photo 9607535 © Alexander Zhiltsov - Dreamstime.com)

By paNOW Staff

Bug forecast

Mosquito numbers still average for now, but experts warn increase may come after spring runoff

May 21, 2026 | 3:02 PM

It will be a few weeks before researchers can say whether this spring’s heavy runoff and standing water are translating into bigger mosquito populations across Saskatchewan.

That’s according to University of Saskatchewan associate professor Sean Prager, who said provincewide monitoring data for trapping numbers aren’t out yet, but the most recent available results, from May 10 to May 16, show mosquito counts are “roughly where you’d expect … not unusual” in Prince Albert. He added that early data from other centres, including Saskatoon and Regina, also do not show significant deviations from average levels.

“I don’t think in either place it’s quantitatively different than average in any way that matters,” Prager said.

However, he cautioned that current numbers may not reflect the impact of recent weather events.

“There’s a lag. There’s a several-week lag between when the rain happens and when you’ll see an increase in mosquito numbers. So, just because we don’t see them now doesn’t mean that they’re not going to be,” he said. “If I had to guess, I would actually say you are going to see more mosquitoes in a few weeks,” he said.

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He noted that water plays a central role in mosquito reproduction, but it is not the only factor influencing population growth. Temperature also has a significant impact.

“When it’s warmer, things, insects grow faster,” Prager said. “The warmer it is, the faster you get a new generation of insects, and that means you get greater populations.”

He explained Saskatchewan mostly has ‘nuisance mosquitoes’ and do not pose significant health risks. West Nile virus is present at very low levels and typically results in few cases annually, he said.

Because of that, large-scale spraying is often limited, as it can be costly and introduce pesticides into the environment with limited public health benefit, he added.

“You’re just spraying pesticides around more or less unnecessarily because all you’re really doing is reducing the amount of nuisance mosquitoes,” Prager said.

He did offer guidance on personal protection, noting that only a limited number of repellents have proven effectiveness.

“They are the following…Deet still works best, picaridin works, IR5454 works, and lemon oil of eucalyptus“

He said there is no evidence that anything else works.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

by paNOW Staff

Mosquito numbers still average for now, but experts warn increase may come after spring runoff

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