Ottawa is used to saying goodbye to mosquito season by the end of August, but this year the bugs just won't take the hint. Residents across the city are reporting more bites and more buzzing around backyards, patios, and parks well into September, and experts say it comes down to one thing: rain.
Why the Bugs Are Sticking Around
Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, and Ottawa's had no shortage of it this summer. Wetter than normal conditions have kept puddles, ditches, and low-lying green spaces damp for longer stretches, giving mosquitoes more opportunities to lay eggs and complete their life cycle. Normally, a drier late summer stretch would start drying up those breeding grounds and knock the population down. Without that dry spell, the mosquitoes just keep coming.
Experts note that this pattern isn't unique to Ottawa. Wet conditions across the wider Ontario region this year have extended mosquito season in other communities too, but the effect is especially noticeable here given how many green spaces, wetlands, and river corridors run through the city, from the Greenbelt to the banks of the Rideau and Ottawa Rivers.
An Ottawa Problem, Literally
Ottawa's geography makes it a pretty ideal spot for mosquitoes to thrive when conditions cooperate. The city is dotted with marshes, creeks, and low-lying trails, think Mud Lake, Stony Swamp, or the paths along the Rideau Canal, all of which can hold water long after a storm passes through. That means anyone out for an evening walk, a bike ride along the canal, or a backyard barbecue this September might want to keep the bug spray handy a little longer than usual.
Local health units typically wind down mosquito advisories heading into fall, but with the bugs still active, residents are being encouraged to stay cautious, especially around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. It's also a good reminder to dump out any standing water sitting around the yard, buckets, birdbaths, clogged gutters, since those are exactly the kind of spots that let a bad mosquito season stretch even further.
What Ottawa Residents Can Do
While there's not much anyone can do about the weather, there are simple steps to cut down on mosquito exposure at home. Regularly emptying any containers that collect rainwater, keeping window screens in good repair, and wearing long sleeves during peak mosquito hours can all help. For those spending time outdoors at popular Ottawa spots like Britannia Beach, the Arboretum, or Gatineau Park just across the river, insect repellent is still very much worth packing this month.
With the wet pattern showing no clear signs of letting up, Ottawa's mosquitoes may end up sticking around longer than anyone would like. Until a proper dry spell rolls through, expect the itching to continue.
Source: CBC Ottawa
