Winged insects with bloodsucking mouths, yes, mosquitoes, are about to be here in full force

Zach Tuggle, Mansfield News Journal
Updated ·3 min read
1

Mosquitoes have started to reproduce in large numbers thanks to the seemingly continuous rains that have drizzled across North Central and Northeastern Ohio for more than two weeks.

The slender insects with wings and bloodsucking mouths are considered to be the deadliest animal in the world.

Mosquitoes are responsible for at least 750,000 human deaths annually worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Humans kill 475,000 other humans each year, snakes 50,000, dogs 25,000 and crocodiles 1,000, the organization reports.

The pesky insects will likely be out in full force by the Fourth of July weekend, according to Kendra Stahl, the OSU Extension agent for Crawford County.

'It’s been a really wet month'

Mosquitoes are breeding rampantly in North Central Ohio after large amounts of rainfall.
Mosquitoes are breeding rampantly in North Central Ohio after large amounts of rainfall.

The pests were mostly nonexistent throughout spring and early summer thanks to a moderate drought that covered a large portion of the Buckeye State.

"It was June 11 when it started raining again," according to Jim Sullivan, a meteorologist with the Cleveland office of the National Weather Service. "There was about an inch and a half that day."

Instruments at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport have collected 5.53 inches of rain since the rains returned.

"That’s more rain than an average month of June," Sullivan said. "Average rainfall for the entire month is 4.79 inches, so it’s been a really wet month."

'Mosquitoes are going to start coming out'

All that water creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes, according to Joshua Dyer, director of the Crawford Park District.

The new water can even reactivate existing mosquito eggs that have been lying around and waiting for the rain to return.

A puddle of water sits stagnant along Ohio 61.
A puddle of water sits stagnant along Ohio 61.

"They can definitely sit on the ground for a while," Dyer said of the eggs.

Typically, he notices mosquito numbers are at their strongest by Father's Day, but that didn't happen this year.

"Mosquitos haven’t been bad at all," Dyer said. "With this moisture, the mosquitoes are going to start coming out more."

'Apply mosquito repellent when participating in any outdoor activity'

Mosquitoes are more than just pesky, since they "can spread viruses like West Nile, dengue, Zika, and parasites like malaria," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those that simply bite people are considered "nuisance mosquitoes."

Mosquitoes are the world's deadliest animal.
Mosquitoes are the world's deadliest animal.

"Nuisance mosquitoes bite people, but don't spread germs," the CDC warns. "Of the over 200 types of mosquitoes in the United States and U.S. territories, about 12 types spread germs."

Richland Public Health captures and tests mosquitoes every year to see whether any of them are carrying West Nile Virus. The health department also sprays for mosquitoes throughout the county on a regular schedule.

"It is important to apply mosquito repellent when participating in any outdoor activity when mosquitoes are active," the Richland Public Health website suggests.

'Drain any standing water'

One of the best ways to protect against mosquito bites is to help rid backyards and other areas of their habitat.

"Drain any standing water which could be in bird baths, tires, buckets, or anything else that could collect water," Stahl said.

Unused tires, like these found outside a barn in Galion, should be emptied of standing water at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Unused tires, like these found outside a barn in Galion, should be emptied of standing water at least once a week to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Wheelbarrows and small pools can be turned over when not in use so they cannot collect water. Tin cans, pots and other small containers should be thrown away so that standing water doesn't collect in them. Gutters should be cleaned, as standing water there offers excellent mosquito breeding grounds.

Pools, hot tubs and saunas should all be chlorinated appropriately to eliminate any mosquito eggs or larvae.

Many of the remaining mosquitoes that humans cannot eliminate will likely be eaten. In their larval stage, mosquitoes are considered delicacies by salamanders and dragonflies.

"Then, when they're flying, there are all different types of birds that go after them," Dyer said. "Everything is important for one reason or another."

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508

Twitter: @zachtuggle

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mosquitoes are more than just pesky, they can be disease-ridden, too