Bug population explodes in Edmonton

Added: 2026-06-08

[00:00:00]From mosquitoes to caterpillars, bug populations in Edmonton are buzzing.

[00:00:04]CTV's Curtis Goodrum explains the spike is tied to weather and timing.

[00:00:09]>> That's a lot of mosquitoes.

[00:00:10]>> A lot of rain in recent weeks has given mosquitoes perfect conditions for breeding.

[00:00:17]>> The eggs are now hatching and we're seeing development of the larvae in those temporary habitats.

[00:00:21]>> Mike Jenkins with the city of Edmonton says over the next few weeks Edmonton will see large swaths of mosquitoes.

[00:00:28]>> They're going to be flying out uh heading out um females reaching their uh looking for blood meals. Their activity is also uh keyed to temperature.

[00:00:36]>> Mosquito behavior gets more aggressive when it's warm and muggy.

[00:00:40]>> Most of their activity is going to be right around in dawn and dusk.

[00:00:45]>> Also bugging some Edmontonians are tent caterpillars.

[00:00:49]>> During boom seasons their populations are really really high.

[00:00:53]>> Shannon Gadwa says her pest control company is seeing more calls to remove them this year as we're now in a population boom period.

[00:01:01]>> So it's important to get a handle on populations while you can so that you can enjoy your trees and and all their um beautiful green leaves throughout the summer.

[00:01:10]>> Gadwa says the caterpillars do not cause any long-term damage to trees. However, it will eat away at its leaves.

[00:01:17]>> They do prefer broadleaf trees. So if you have poplars, aspens, birch, um they're going to favor those.

[00:01:24]>> The city of Edmonton's mosquito program targets roadside ditches and other habitats where mosquito larva will be developing. Jenkins says you can help by removing any freestanding water in your yard.

[00:01:37]>> Making sure that bird baths, eaves troughs, uh old uh uh broken uh uh kids toys, uh things like that can all collect water.

[00:01:46]>> Curtis Goodrum, CTV News, Edmonton.