Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Friday, June 13, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - With the warmer weather setting in, more people spending time outdoors will no doubt notice the mosquitoes are out too.

"Right now it's not too bad - it's been dry," said Suzanne Carriere, ecosystems management biologist with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. "It could be way worse."

According to Carriere, the mosquito population can build up pretty fast with 32 different species of mosquito inhabiting the NWT, as some emerge later in the summer.

"Right now (Yellowknifers) are seeing the smaller mosquitoes that bite, so that's when people notice the mosquitoes the most," said Carriere.

Anyone venturing outside of the city, especially campers, should beware of the bugs lurking north and south of the city. North of Yellowknife, on the tree line, there is a species of mosquito that is "notorious" for being bothersome, said Carriere.

"It can physically cover your back and cover your tent wall. Anyone who has camped on the tree line, they know about the mosquito population there. I would say the first day of July it's the first day you can see them there."

Carriere said that further south there are the same amount of mosquitoes, but many more types of biting flies.

"Then you learn mosquitoes are not so bad after all. It's the other ones that are worse," she said.

Places like Winnipeg suffer much more severe types of mosquitoes.

Yellowknife has a very dry climate and is spared from more unpleasant varieties.

Timing is the key to avoiding the pesky bugs. Carriere said mosquitoes are typically out more during the day whereas black flies are more common in the evening.

"It depends on the time of day. If it's a hot sunny day you won't have as many," she said.

In order to avoid mosquitoes as best as possible residents should get rid of standing water, use bug spray or wear bug jackets.

Carriere adds the West Nile Virus has never been found in the NWT, as far as the territorial government is aware.

"So go out and enjoy," she said.