Despite Drought, Salt Marsh Mosquitoes are on the Rise

Despite the drought conditions, Calcasieu Parish Mosquito Control said mosquito populations have been on the rise, especially salt marsh mosquitoes -- a large, aggressive, biting species that lay their eggs on moist soil in intermediate-to-fresh water marshes.

Area marsh lands dried up during the long, hot summer, setting up a perfect storm for large mosquito broods. Most of the mosquitoes’ natural predators such as minnows, frogs, and other organisms died, leaving mosquito eggs to hatch.

To add to this, the recent super moon caused high tides to flood previously dry marshes. These high tides happen any time there is a strong south wind, thus increasing the hatching of salt marsh mosquitoes. To make matters worse, these mosquitoes are known as strong fliers and with favorable winds, they can travel 40 miles from their hatching site.

"We are continuing to spray nightly with our ground fleet of trucks and airplanes to get these mosquitoes down," said Scott Harrington, Mosquito Control Manager. "However, they may increase in numbers before things get better."   

Mosquito Control reminds residents to do their part -- to keep their limbs covered and always use repellent when working or playing outdoors – day and night.