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The Reasons Residents are Seeing More Mosquitoes
According to scientists, mosquitos are a rising problem in Delaware. We aren’t alone – the problem is increasing worldwide due to their ability to quickly evolve, the introduction of the Tiger Mosquito, the abundance of plastic litter, and stronger storms due to climate change.
“As temperatures rise, the habitat for these species expands.”
Karen Holcomb, Biologist, Center for Disease Control’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases
Source: Forbes
“With increased rain events and flooding events, we’re having more of these other unanticipated consequences… and mosquitoes are one of them”
Bart Wilson, Regional Geomorphologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Southbridge Neighborhood Grapples with Too Many Mosquitoes
Southbridge neighborhood in Wilmington, Delaware knows this well. In a recent article on WHYY, “‘They’re gonna get you’: Southbridge Residents seek relief from decades-old mosquito problem,” by reporter Zoë Read spotlighted Southbridge’s battle.
In this report, Read interviewed DelNature’s Habitat Outreach Coordinator, Kerry Wilson. She spoke about DelNature’s support of environmental improvements that can help ease their rising mosquito problem.
WHYY Reporter Zoë Read writes:
“Kerry Wilson… said that “mosquitos breed behind Barbara Hicks Playground — where kids often light bonfires so they can play basketball without getting attacked by mosquitoes.”
Water in an adjacent wetland doesn’t flow freely because it’s choked by invasive plants.”
‘You can see just a little bit of water pooling here from the rain that we had earlier, just in a little depression in the park,’ Wilson said as she walked through the park, located off Bradford Street. ‘So, it’s even areas like this, if that stays standing for seven days …. that’s going to then generate another whole population of mosquitoes.’”
Learn more about this effort to battle back the mosquito problem in Southbridge and Delaware and the stories of affected Delaware residents. Read the full WHYY article, “‘They’re gonna get you’: Southbridge Residents seek relief from decades-old mosquito problem.”
Learn more about Kerry Wilson and DelNature’s support of an effort to bring food and pollinator gardens to Wilmington to improve flooding, heat, and food insecurity.