Bad year for mosquitoes, but probably not Vermont's worst

After a dry summer last year, more days of rain this year are helping breed a higher number of mosquitoes in Vermont, according to the Agency of Agriculture.

Tim Schmalz, the agency's plant industry section chief, said the state traps mosquitoes around Vermont each year so the insects can be tested for diseases. He said trappers have told him they are seeing about 30 percent more mosquitoes so far this season.

"It sounds like a lot, and it probably is, but last year you've got to remember was super dry," Smaltz said. "There wasn't as much opportunity for mosquitoes to breed." 

The area has seen above average rain so far this summer, according to Meteorologist Andy Nash of the National Weather Service in Burlington. The station in South Burlington has seen about 14.6 inches of rain since May 1, with rain falling 46 out of 92 days. Last year, by July 31, the station had measured 8.56 inches. On average, the station sees about 11.87 inches, Nash said. 

Schmalz said he could not say whether the number of mosquitoes this year is higher than average because the agency does not monitor the number it sees. The agency instead keeps track of the types of diseases mosquitoes are carrying and the species they're seeing. 

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Mosquitoes have been found carrying West Nile virus in Hardwick, Weathersfield and Brattleboro this year, the Vermont Health Department reported. There have been no positive test results for Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE) this season, according to a news release last week. Schmalz also said the state monitors for Zika virus, which has not been found in Vermont. 

Patti Casey, a vector management coordinator at the Agency of Agriculture, said the agency is seeing a number of "day biters," or mosquitoes active during the day, due to the rain causing standing water in flood plains and other areas. 

"This is probably higher than we've seen in three to four years, but it's not really out of the ordinary," Casey said of the overall mosquito population. She said there have certainly been worse years.

Joshua Stephen, a camping goods buyer at Outdoor Gear Exchange in Burlington, said he has had to stock more bug repellent products this year due to bad tick and mosquito seasons. This has included not only sprays, but nets and clothing pre-treated with bug repellent.

Stephen said bug repellent products are "big biz for sure."

Stephen said he may have under-stocked the products initially this year after a drier season with fewer bug repellent sales last year. He said the store had ended with a surplus of those products after the 2016 season. 

"It's been really steady for us," Stephen said. "I've had to jump on some emergency shipments a couple times because it's been like, 'Wow, we've already sold out of all that stuff we just brought in.' It's been moving quite briskly." 

On a rainy Monday, both Schmalz and Stephen pointed out that if it keeps raining, the bug situation probably won't improve. The Health Department has provided a list of tips for Vermonters to protect themselves from mosquitoes:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors.
• Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk.
• Use insect repellent. EPA.gov has a list safe and effective repellents.
• Cover baby carriages or outdoor playpens with mosquito netting.
• Mosquito-proof your home: fix holes in your screens and make sure they are tightly attached to doors and windows.
• Get rid of standing water: drain water from gutters, old tires, wading pools and other places where mosquitoes can breed.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.