Could Wichita’s rainy June mean more mosquitoes this summer? What an expert says
While the third-wettest June on record in Wichita has increased water levels at Cheney Lake Reservoir, providing some respite after years of drought, the rainfall may also have brought something less welcome — a very active mosquito season.
“Most of the life stages of mosquitoes occur in water,” Raymond Cloyd, entomology professor with Kansas State University, recently told The Eagle. “So anytime there’s moisture and the temperatures hover between 70 and 80 degrees, that’s going to be conducive for development of the mosquitoes. Especially areas of where the stagnant water or warm water accumulates, those are areas that are prime breeding grounds for most mosquitoes.”
June saw heavy rainfall in Wichita, with the National Weather Service recording 11.2 inches during the month, 6.19 inches above average. Rainstorms caused occasional flash flooding in the area and some standing water, potentially creating breeding grounds for mosquito populations.
Cloyd said mosquitoes are most active from June to about September, depending on conditions.
“If you get dry conditions, then that will not lead to major mosquito issues during that time of year,” Cloyd said. “So again, it’s really going to be contingent on [the weather].”
While mosquitoes are commonly considered a nuisance, they are also dangerous.
“Mosquitoes are the deadliest insect because they vector [many] viruses,” Cloyd said.
Viruses spread by mosquitoes include malaria, dengue, zika and yellow fever. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the most common disease spread via mosquitoes in the state is West Nile virus.
The majority of people who contract West Nile will not experience symptoms, the Sedgwick County Health Department’s website says. Symptoms that usually develop 3 to 14 days after being bitten include fever, body aches, headaches, swollen glands and, in some cases, a rash. While the virus will usually go away on its own, if you experience confusion or unusually severe headaches, you should seek medical attention. Severe symptoms include neck stiffness, tremors, muscle weakness, vision loss and coma.
KDHE’s West Nile dashboard shows 11 neuroinvasive cases and 12 non-neuroinvasive cases in the state as of June 27.
West Nile is often spread by the culex mosquito, which are medium-sized with brown bodies and common in Kansas.
Another kind of mosquito common in Kansas that can carry disease is the Asian tiger mosquito, Cloyd said. They are known to spread dengue fever.
Dengue can cause a high fever, a headache, joint and muscle pains, pain behind the eyes, nausea, vomiting, rash and swollen glands. Most people who contract the virus recover in in a week or two, according to the World Health Organization.
Asian tiger mosquitoes have black bodies with white stripes and are known to be aggressive biters, according to the University of California Riverside’s Center for Invasive Species Research.
How to get rid of mosquitoes
The first step to making your yard unattractive to mosquitoes is to eliminate standing water.
“Make sure bird baths [are] clean, dog dishes are empty, you know, eliminate any breeding grounds for mosquitoes,” Cloyd said.
The second step is to get the right repellent. Cloyd recommends repellents like IR3535 and lemon and eucalyptus.
Cloyd said to avoid blanket applications of treatments or yard repellents, as those could kill more beneficial insects than mosquitoes.
“They are going to cause more damage to the ecosystem than anything else,” Cloyd noted.
Fans are also good to have in your backyard if you’re trying to reduce mosquitoes. The insects can’t fly in high winds, so they will avoid areas with fans.
Commonly purchased items that do not work against mosquitoes are, according to a Kansas State University publication written by Cloyd:
- Traps that release carbon dioxide
- Ultrasonic devices
- Electric bug zappers
- Citronella candles and torches
- Electronic emitters
To avoid mosquito bites, Cloyd said to put away dark-colored clothes, which are most attractive to mosquitoes, as well as perfume and scented lotions.
Mosquito bites are red, itchy bumps that usually go away on their own. If you want to avoid potential infections, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says to wash the area with soap and water and apply an ice pack for 10 minutes, which can reduce itching and swelling.
You can also use an over-the-counter itch relief cream or a combination of baking soda and water to relieve itching.
This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
