Question. If April showers bring May flowers, what does May rain bring? You are correct if you answered lush green lawns, puddles and pesky mosquitoes.
It’s hard to enjoy your beautiful yard from your deck or patio when you can hear the eery drone of little mosquito wings buzzing around your head as you try to unwind from the daily stresses life can bring. But after being tortured by these flying, stinging, blood-sucking creatures, is there anything more satisfying than to hear the crackling of an electronic zapper that lures in mosquitoes, and the subsequent pile of crispy, dead bugs underneath the irresistible purple light?
Mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance, they are also dangerous little creatures. They are known to carry diseases (Encephalitis, Malaria, Dengue Fever, West Nile Virus) that can be deadly to humans, as well as animals, if a carrier should attach itself to either.
I’m trying to think of one positive thing to say about them but all I can come up with is they die when it gets cold.
These insects feel right at home in wet, hot climates. But it’s not today’s moisture that brings them out. The location’s weather patterns over the past several months can determine how many mosquitoes emerge. The March and April showers we all love are what gets them going. Then the rains in May and, now, June keep the population explosion ongoing. Since they breed and lay their eggs in warm, moist conditions, they have plenty of places to reproduce.
Wherever there is stagnant water, mosquitoes thrive. In your yard it could be tall grass or weeds, bird baths or a dripping outdoor faucet. Clogged gutters are also a favorite hangout. After the monsoon weather the Golden Belt has seen the past several weeks, ditches, fields and parking lots have also become breeding grounds.
The recent rainfall has definitely helped the persistent drought conditions across the state. But it’s also the perfect storm for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. A single female mosquito can lay between 200-300 eggs at a time, quickly multiplying the population in your backyard.
Health risks
• According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, Dengue transmission, a virus-transmitted disease, remains high in 2025. Outbreaks in areas where dengue is common has increased the number of cases in travelers to those areas and may result in small outbreaks in the continental United States. Symptoms include abdominal pain or tenderness, persistent vomiting, clinical fluid accumulation, internal bleeding, lethargy or restlessness, and liver enlargement.
• West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States. Between 2002 and 2022, there were a total of 715 reported cases in Kansas.
There are no vaccines to prevent or medicines to treat West Nile in people. Fortunately, most people infected with West Nile Virus do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms.
Severe symptoms of West Nile Virus can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, paralysis, and coma.
Safety Tips
• When spending time outdoors, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to prevent bites, and use a repellent. Replace your outdoor lights with yellow bug lights, which can help attract less insects. Eliminate standing water on your property where mosquitos can breed.
• Mosquitoes are repelled by a variety of natural scents, including citronella, peppermint, lavender, garlic, and eucalyptus. These scents can be used in essential oils, candles, or even by planting certain plants around the area. Other scents that mosquitoes find unpleasant include catnip, rosemary, and basil.
Why mosquitos, God?
Still looking for at least one positive thing to say about these annoying, and potentially deadly insects, I asked ChatGPT this question: Why Did God Create Mosquitoes?
“Mosquitoes are often called one of the most annoying — and dangerous — creatures on Earth,” ChatGPT replied. “So, it’s a fair question: why would a benevolent and all-powerful God create something that seems to bring more harm than good? From a scientific perspective, mosquitoes play a surprisingly important role in the ecosystem. They serve as food for countless animals, including birds, bats, frogs, and fish. Their larvae help filter water and recycle nutrients in aquatic environments. Some species even pollinate plants, making them small but integral parts of natural systems. Still, this knowledge doesn’t always soothe the itch — literally or figuratively — for those who’ve suffered mosquito bites or the illnesses they carry. But whether viewed through science, faith, or both, mosquitoes remind us that the natural world is complex — and not always easy to understand.”
Even though they are one of God’s creatures, and since cold weather is a long way away, I will slap, swat, squish and spray these annoying insects to protect myself.
— Keith Lippoldt
