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Summer Mosquitos Return

Flickr User Christina Xu
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https://flic.kr/p/6E3WXA

If you’ve spent any time outside, you’ve probably noticed the mosquitoes are back and biting. But as Reginald Hardwick reports, they could be a lot worse.

According to Michigan State University, our state is home to 60 species of mosquitoes.

Dr. Ned Walker is a professor of entomology and micro-biology at MSU.

He says a statewide trapping system shows the number of mosquitoes is below normal for this time of year. Dr. Walker says you can thank our cool spring season.

We had plenty of rain but we didn’t have the temperature. And the temperature will drive the development of mosquitoes when they’re living in the water.

With rain and summer heat in the forecast this week, Dr. Walker expects the mosquitoes to really increase soon. 

 

Reginald Hardwick is digital news director for WKAR Public Media, leading the creation of news reporting and commentary across all station platforms, including online, radio and television.