Longer mosquito seasons seen in Northeast as climate changes - WMUR Manchester

Longer mosquito seasons seen in NH as climate changes

Longer mosquito seasons seen in Northeast as climate changes

New viruses could begin spreading in New Hampshire

Summer is barely underway, but mosquito season is back in full force, with experts saying the annoying insects are showing up earlier and staying around longer.

The changing climate is pushing temperatures higher, and experts are warning that prime mosquito season is getting longer in some places. Increasing the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus.

"There are pathogens that we already have here and maybe don't worry about a lot that are likely to be significantly impacted by warming temperatures," said Shannon Ladeau, senior research scientist for the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies.

The nonprofit research group Climate Central found that 173 cities around the country are seeing more days of prime mosquito weather. The Northeast was one area that has seen the biggest increase in mosquito days between 1979 and 2022.

According to Climate Central, Manchester saw its number of mosquito days – or the number of warm, humid days when mosquitoes can thrive – grow by 31. It ranked fifth among the 10 locations that have seen the biggest increase in mosquito days.

"I think that the mantra for all of us in the coming decades is that don't assume the current conditions are tomorrow's conditions," Ladeau said. "The communities, the compositions and the abundances (of mosquitoes) are going to shift."

Experts said that people need to more vigilant as the mosquito population grows. Getting rid of standing water in your yard can stop mosquitoes from breeding. Bug spray and protective clothing can prevent bites.

The state of New Hampshire is dealing with three mosquito-borne illnesses: West Nile virus, Eastern Equine encephalitis and Jamestown Canyon virus. Last week, a batch of mosquitoes in Keene tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus.

Researchers say that if New Hampshire's climate continues to warm, other mosquito-borne illnesses such as the Zika virus could start spreading.

Expert explains impact of changing climate on mosquito-borne illness: