Experts Warn Michigan Mosquitoes Could Be Worse Than Ever

Spring and summer in Michigan are like nowhere else in the country. They're truly a thing of beauty, awe, and wonder. They are also completely overrun by mosquitoes.

There. I said it.

Photo by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Unsplash

Not that it's some kind of secret or something, but no Michigan outing in the spring or summer is complete without at least one bug bite. Or, if you're anything like me, several.

And experts say that this year is going to be even worse.

Heavy Spring Rain Created Perfect Mosquito Conditions

Sure, we all love that April showers bring May flowers. However, they also bring lots of water. And this year, we had LOTS of spring rain. So much so that experts say it's created even more standing water than usual, leading to more mosquito breeding opportunities than normal.

All a mosquito needs is standing water and little to no wind to create the perfect environment to lay hundreds of eggs. One mosquito can lay 100 to 200 eggs in a single body of water. Now multiply that times millions of mosquitoes, and I think you're starting to get the idea.

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Also, let's not forget that mosquitoes are classified as the most deadly creature on the planet. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquitoes kill "more people than any other creature in the world." It's responsible for spreading diseases such as dengue, West Nile, Zika, chikungunya, malaria, and more. For something so tiny, that's pretty deadly.

How to Keep From Getting Bitten by Mosquitoes

To avoid getting bit, there are a few preventative measures you can take:

Use EPA-Registered insect repellents with active ingredients like DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus to deter mosquitoes.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, and opt for light colors whenever possible.
Remove any standing water like birdbaths, plant saucers, and toddler toys.