Image Credit: Wikicommons
June 15, 2021 - 10:31 AM
Some communities in Kamloops are noticing significant increase in the number of mosquitoes this year.
Areas like Barnhartvale, Dallas, Juniper Ridge, Deloro, Tobiano and others are being pestered by vicious little yellow mosquitoes, according to a Thompson Nicola Regional District.
Many residents of Juniper Ridge are sharing their experiences with the pests on a community Facebook page. They have been sharing remedy ideas and photos of swollen bites and welts they are contending with this year.
Heather Asselstine has lived in Juniper Ridge with her family for six years. She says the mosquitoes are larger and more abundant this year.
“It seems that every year at the beginning of summer mosquitoes come out and are a nuisance for a little bit, but I’ve never noticed there to be so many all at once,” Asselstine said. “It makes it very hard to enjoy the outdoors at all. It did seem they came out in swarms for a couple of weeks. They seem to have slowed down a little bit.”
Like many residents, Asselstine has children who are reacting more than usual to the bites. She says it was shocking to see her kids reacting so adversely.
Kamloops resident Heather Asselstine, who lives in Juniper Ridge, says her children have been experiencing bigger reactions to mosquito bites this spring. This photo shows her youngest daughter's knee swollen from a mosquito bite.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Heather Asselstine
“My youngest daughter had the most severe reactions from these bites and had several on her one leg and it swelled quite significantly,” Asselstine said. “My oldest daughter could only find relief from the Benadryl Stop-itch. Both my husband and I seem to tolerate them a bit better. I honestly have no idea why my kids seem to be reacting so adversely to the bites this year. It seems quite unusual.”
According to the regional district, the species causing the current problem typically develop in alkali grassland ponds and over-irrigated hay fields needing as little as two to four centimetres of standing water for four to ten days to develop. The report suggests affected residents can use repellents containing DEET or picaridin and wear light-coloured loose-fitting clothing.
“They are biting through most clothing and on the hotter days, long-sleeved shirts and pants are quite impractical,” Asselstine said. “I use the Off Family Care for my kids and that does seem to help, although not eliminate risk. After Bite medicine is also being used. Either the Benadryl dabbed or the Benadryl spray seems to allow temporary relief.”
Some residents, like Sara Cooper, have taken their children to the doctor to make sure the reactions are not something to be concerned about.
“We took our daughter to the doctor and he wasn’t concerned, just told us to keep an eye on it," Cooper said. "It was extremely swollen and hot to the touch. Benadryl cream was recommended. She is two-and-a-half years old. According to the doctor, as children get older, their bodies won’t react as much. The doctor thinks the longer the mosquito is on, the worse it is because not all her bites are like this, just a couple.”
The TNRD monitors mosquitoes through the Mosquito Surveillance and Reduction Program.
If you know of a potential habitat or have any questions you can phone their advisory line at 250-372-5700.
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