Warmer winter could bring mosquitos and ticks out earlier than normal

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - From buzzing in your ear to leaving itchy bites, bugs like mosquitos and ticks can be real pests.

But an Iowa state entomology professor says we could be seeing more of them as temperatures rise. Particularly mosquitos, boxelder bugs, and ticks.

“If we’re having a warmer spring like this, or warmer, I guess, winter, it will, in many cases, promote some more activity a little bit earlier in the season... Actually, we’ve gotten few samples in the clinic already this year, which is a little bit unusual” said Iowa State Insect Diagnostician Zach Shumm.

But it’s not just the weather above ground that has an impact...

Because of this winter’s warm temperatures, the soil didn’t freeze. This can play a huge role in when and how many bugs emerge.

“When temperatures are a little bit warmer, does that mean that there could be more survival? Sure.” said Shumm.

Though, Shumm says he isn’t worried about an influx of mosquitos this year due to widespread drought.

“With mosquitos, it’s really important because they reproduce in aquatic environments... So if we don’t have a lot of rainfall to supply and produce puddles and to fill ponds and things of that nature, those populations are going to be severely impacted in a negative way.” he said.

Though, he says it’s hard to be certain of any population estimates ahead of time.

But for those spending time outdoors, Shumm says a little bug spray should be all you’ll need to avoid any bites.

And although insects and arachnids like mosquitos and ticks have a bad reputation for carrying disease, it’s unlikely you’ll contract anything from the occasional bug bite. And even if you do, Shumm says illnesses like Lyme’s disease are highly treatable.