The bugs are back in town: Mosquitoes return for summer

The bugs are back in town: Mosquitoes have made their return to Toronto, just in time for summer.

A rainy spring meant more standing water around the city, which mosquitoes use to breed.

Toronto Public Health says it’s too early to tell if there’s an increased risk of West Nile virus.

“Last year we had one human death,” Dan Kartzalis told CityNews.

CityNews reporter Anna Vlachos explains what you need to do to protect yourself from the pests in the video below.

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What can be done to reduce my chance of getting West Nile virus (WNV)?

• If possible, avoid areas with mosquitoes or leave an area that has mosquitoes
• Be sure to take precautions when out at night, especially during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes tend to be most active.
• Wear light-coloured clothing, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks outdoors whenever possible
• Make sure clothing is breathable and allows moisture to evaporate.
• Wear insect repellents 
• Use fine-mesh screens on windows and doors.
• Make sure screens fit tightly and do not have holes. 
• Do not allow water to collect in toys, garbage cans, plant containers, etc.
• Clean roof gutters, downspouts and eavestroughs regularly.
• Clean birdbaths at least once a week.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Eliminate discarded tires. If you must keep them, remove any standing water from the tires and store them covered or stand them on end and fill the inside with sand.
• Bubble ornamental garden ponds using an oxygenator.
• Change and empty water from outdoor dishes for animals daily.

Information courtesy Toronto Public Health