Rainy Spring Has Mosquito Control on Alert

More than 4 inches of rainfall has fallen on the Twin Cities metro over the past month, according to the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities.

Normal for the month is slightly less than three inches.

The rain is good news after last years’ drought, but it could also lead to more unwelcome visitors. 

At River Park in Brooklyn Park, a search is underway. Shawn Partyka with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District is looking for early signs of a summer pest—mosquitos.

Shawn Partyka searches for mosquitos using a long-handled ladle.

If the field operations supervisor finds mosquito larvae, his crews with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District get to work. 

“We have been treating primarily so far this year with our helicopters which is dropping a dry granule which is a corn cob that’s infused with the soil bacteria BTI,” says Partyka. “When the larva eat that, it causes them to no longer be able to feed and die as a larva.”

Put another way… 

“It will lacerate their GI tract and then they go kaputski,” says Mark Leonard with the MMCD. 

Mosquito control officials say mosquito larvae are targeted in an environmentally friendly way. 

“We are not harming anything like butterflies or bees or even ants for that matter,” says Partyka. 

Their mission started in mid-April. 

“We’ve been able to get a really good head start with how cool it’s been.”

And with all the April showers, you can guess what would come next. 

“With more water in general, we are probably going to see more bugs in general,” said Partkya.

Mosquito larvae in vial.

Although MMCD did not find any mosquito larvae at River Park in Brooklyn Park on Thursday, May 2, they expect that to change as the weather warms.

If you have an area you want them to check, let them know.

“We have a submit a tip line if the bugs are really gnarly in your area or if you are concerned about any mosquitoes potentially transmitting disease, let us know and we will respond,” said Partkya. 

You can reach MMCD at mmcd.org or call at 651-645-9149.

Brooklyn Park