If you’ve noticed fewer mosquitoes so far this year, you’re not imagining it. “Boring year so far,” said Alex Carlson, public affairs manager with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District. He says dry conditions have prevented many of the floodwater mosquitoes that typically dominate Minnesota summers from hatching. “The end of the winter had a very low snowpack, so we didn’t see a lot of flooding in the early spring, and then it’s been very dry through most of May and early June so far,” Carlson said. Floodwater mosquitoes, which typically make up the bulk of Minnesota’s mosquito population, rely on rainfall and standing water to hatch.
“When we don’t get those rains, those eggs just build up and they don’t hatch,” Carlson said. Not all mosquitoes have disappeared, however. “There are some species that are not as dependent on rain that will still be out in regular numbers,” Carlson said. Still, the species most people encounter have remained well below normal. The district monitors traps throughout the seven-county metro area, and last week’s collections have shown significantly fewer mosquitoes than usual. “The average across the district was about 15 times below the 10-year average for that particular week,” Carlson said. Despite the slow start, experts say mosquito season is far from over. “There’s always time for mosquitos to come back,” Carlson said. Rain in the weeks ahead could quickly change the outlook. “If we do see rains in the coming weeks then those numbers will start to rebound,” Carlson said. The district says residents can help limit mosquito breeding by removing standing water around their homes, including in buckets, bird baths and other containers where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
Forty miles west of Minneapolis, Howard Lake mixes water recreation with country living. But a couple weeks ago, the small town got a visit from an unexpected feline…
Waterfowl on lakes and rivers are a common sight. But it’s the not-so-common loon that when seen in person is often the apple of a photographer’s eye, especially…
CuriOdyssey, a San Mateo animal rescue and zoo is still cleaning up after being battered by the winter storms. The powerful storms also destroyed animals’ habitats, obscured walkways…
A beloved Springfield, Massachusetts, zoo is closed, after significant damage from a powerful macroburst on Saturday. Before the gates at The Zoo in Forest Park can reopen, there’s…
New shark-spotting technology has been on full display this summer—and for good reason. With shark activity on the rise, the Nassau County Police Marine Bureau is on the…
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Monday continued to investigate a black bear attack in Barron County that landed a 69-year-old woman in the hospital. What You…
A bear was spotted in Roseville on Wednesday morning, one day after police in neighboring Rocklin issued an alert about a similar sighting. Roseville Fire said the bear…
The borough of Oakmont has voted to move forward with a harvesting program to bring down its deer population. This has been a wildlife management tool used to…
More than half a dozen white sharks have been spotted close to shore in Scarborough, Maine over a 48-hour period, prompting warnings and increased monitoring near a popular…
A beaver that bit a 19-year-old fisherman at a Maryland state park Wednesday morning tested positive for rabies, the Maryland Department of Health confirmed. The man was bitten…
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” This verse teaches believers not…
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” This…
What the world calls waste, Jesus calls worship, your sacrifice for Him is never overlooked. Bold, extravagant faith stands out in a culture that misunderstands true devotion. “She…
Pip: Drink of Jesus is a site that treats ancient Scripture the way a good contractor treats load-bearing walls — you don’t move them just because the room…
Chrysler is recalling more than 1.27 million Ram 1500 pickup trucks because the second-row seat belt buckle anchors may have been improperly installed, according to the National Highway…
Three lions at a Tokyo zoo have died from suspected heatstroke and others are under treatment, a spokeswoman said on Tuesday, with the big cats struggling with high…
A 37-year-old man was arrested Monday for allegedly starting the largest of the three devastating Spokane, Washington-area wildfires that are leaving some residents with nothing. Aaron Farinacci, a…
When life feels like it’s falling apart, God remains your safest place. Even when everything shakes, His strength never does. Bible Verse:God is our refuge and strength, a…
The fires in and around Spokane, Washington state’s second largest city, burned about 8.2 square miles over the weekend. Source: (3) Fires near Spokane have burned 600 structures…
The City of Stockton has been working to revitalize Main Street. To help, a local church hosted a bazaar to raise funds that go directly into the community.…
In your most tired moments, it’s easy to wonder if any of this really matters. But what if every small act of faithfulness is echoing into eternity in…
Division within the church is one of the enemy’s greatest tools because it weakens unity, damages witness, and distracts believers from the mission of Christ. I personally believe…