Second wave of mosquitoes imminent in the Netherlands

This year, due to high temperatures and sufficient rainfall, the first wave of mosquitoes was a month early, namely at the end of May. Now, according to researchers at Wageningen University, a second wave of mosquitoes is on its way.

High Dutch temperatures activate mosquitoes

The high temperatures experienced across the Netherlands in the last two months have caused the early awakening of mosquitoes from their hibernation. Usually, the first wave of mosquitoes is experienced at the end of June, with a peak in July and August.

This year, however, April was three degrees warmer than usual and May was 3,1 degrees warmer. This lead to the development of the first wave of mosquitoes, which appeared at the end of May, in search of blood.

As the mosquitoes are early this year, it is likely that there will be a few generations extra. Generally, mosquitoes take about 28 days to develop from an egg to an adult mosquito. Due to the warm weather, they are developing a lot quicker, some even completing the process in two weeks.

Mosquito breeding grounds

Much of the nuisance that mosquitos cause is down to people, as many leave buckets and plant pots full of water in their gardens or on their balconies. Mosquitoes then breed and lay their eggs in the water.

As this is an artificial breeding ground, mosquito larvae don’t have any natural enemies. In such areas, the number of mosquito larvae can rise into the hundreds per litre of water. On average, mosquitoes stop being a problem around the end of September and the start of October.