After a sopping wet weekend, Calgarians may have to begin bracing for the unwelcome return of a familiar summer companion: mosquitoes. However, there is no need for panic, as it remains too early to determine the severity of the upcoming season. According to the City of Calgary, peak mosquito activity typically does not occur until mid-July.
Dr. John Soghigian, an assistant professor at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, leads a research lab focusing on mosquitoes and other biting insects. He agrees that it is still too early for a definitive forecast, but the recent rainfall has created ideal breeding conditions.
Short-Term Outlook
“In the short term, we’re very likely to have a sort of bloom of mosquitoes in the next couple weeks,” Soghigian said. “That’s because most of the mosquito species we have here in Calgary use flooded areas, what we might call floodplains, in order for their immature stages to develop.”
The City of Calgary was not available for comment before publication, but the ‘skeeter meter’ on the city’s website is currently in the green. The website notes that significant rainfall at the beginning of June could lead to increased numbers by the end of the month.
Comparison to 2025
Soghigian is cautiously optimistic that this season will not be as severe as last year’s, with a warm and dry summer forecasted by The Weather Network. In contrast, last summer was marked by persistent rainfall that was optimal for mosquito breeding. However, the high populations from last year may still have eggs present.
“The fact that we had so many mosquitoes last year will influence this year because of the fact that there were so many out there for so long,” Soghigian said. “Many of those species were able to bite us and then lay eggs. And so their offspring are waiting for a chance to hatch and get going.”
He added that cooler overnight temperatures may help keep the mosquito count in check for now, but Calgarians should expect to see mosquitoes in the coming weeks.
Preparation Tips
While Calgarians may have a few more mosquito-free weeks, Soghigian emphasized the importance of preparation by ensuring no shallow pooling water is sitting around in backyards. He recommended that pet owners dump out their water bowls every few days and that rainwater barrels be properly covered. He also highly recommended using bug spray when the season begins to pick up.
“If it’s a particularly bad mosquito season, using repellent is always advised,” Soghigian said. “In addition to being really annoying, they can bite us and transmit pathogens that can cause disease.”
The City of Calgary’s recommendations are similar, adding that lawns should be kept short and that people should limit time outdoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Citizen Science Program
Soghigian is continuing his Skeeter Seeker citizen science program, which launched last year in collaboration with the city. At Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and Ralph Klein Park, Calgarians can pick up mosquito sampling kits. If they are bitten while out walking, they can capture the mosquito in a tube so that the insects can be identified and tested.
