There's no clear answer. Lake country has more woodland and floodwater mosquitoes because of wetlands and marshes, but cities have more mosquitoes that can breed in small containers like gutters, storm drains, and discarded containers.
If you ask both a Northwest Wisconsin cabin owner and a Twin Cities homeowner who has it worse when it comes to mosquitoes, they’ll both tell you they do. And they’re both right—sort of. The reality is that their problems are different and it’s helpful to know why.
Lake country has water everywhere. The lake itself, however, is a bad breeding site for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes need still, shallow, sheltered water. The lake itself is constantly circulating, it’s deep, and there are fish in there that eat mosquito larvae. Everything around the lake is a problem, though, including the cattail marshes and sedge meadows and every bit of woods that floods in the spring. Floodwater mosquitoes lay eggs in soil that dries, then when rain comes and the dry spots flood, they all hatch at once. A lake country property can easily go from being tolerable to unbearable in three days after a storm. But there is at least the breeze, which can help ward off mosquitoes somewhat.
Cities are different. Wetlands are drained and paved, so big broods don’t happen in the same way. But cities also have an endless number of artificial containers like clogged gutters, storm drains, buckets, tarps, birdbaths, and neglected pools. Culex mosquitoes love this. They can breed in small, stagnant sources of water. And they also happen to be the mosquito species most likely to give you West Nile virus. Urban areas also tend to run hotter due to the heat island effect so mosquitoes can stay active for longer. As if that all weren’t enough, housing is closer together too, which means your neighbor’s mosquito problem is also your mosquito problem.
Whether you call the lake or the city home, though, there are things you can do. Dump sources of standing water on your property where you can. Trim back vegetation where mosquitoes rest during the day. And if mosquitoes just won’t leave you alone, consider hiring a professional for mosquito control.
If you are tired of dealing with mosquitoes, Mosquito Squad of Northwest Wisconsin can help. Mosquito Squad treats the shaded zones where mosquitoes rest. This can help you protect your yard with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
