With the lack of rain this year, picnickers in Portage la Prairie have not had to worry too much about those pesky mosquitoes.

Superintendent of Public Works Brian Taylor has been checking the traps around the city and says counts are low.

"It's been still rather tame. As a matter of fact, our contractor that does our larvaciding contract, just last week, finished a round again, saying that most of the areas that are checked are all dry," says Taylor. "We don't anticipate any large increase in mosquitoes at this time."

Looking at the previous 25 years, a season like this is rare. However, Taylor notes we've had a few dry spells in the last five years that have been similar to 2023. 

"If we get a considerable amount of rain, that's obviously going to be the factor that is going to increase the mosquito counts and the nuisance (mosquitoes) around town," says Taylor. "With the small amounts that we've had, it has had very minimal effects on counts at this time."

You will still see activity from the bugs at dusk and dawn and Taylor warns against being out at that time, if you want to avoid the bites.