Alaska Hiway Skeeter Report

Mosquitoes are happiest near water. So, you will be less likely to bothered if you are away from water sources (lakes, rivers, creeks, coast lines. That is hard to do in many parts of Canada and Alaska.

I was swarmed in Alberta in a canola field in June - no water or trees for a long ways. Last summer I was in BC and saw nary a skeeter, even by the lakes, but it was late July. I'm interested in what people are seeing as they go along, whether it be by lakes, rivers, etc. or in dryer areas. I understand that mosquito season is usually June through July, but with it being a dryer year, would like to hear some reports on how bad they are in various places.

2lazy4U wrote:
I was swarmed in Alberta in a canola field in June - no water or trees for a long ways. Last summer I was in BC and saw nary a skeeter, even by the lakes, but it was late July. I'm interested in what people are seeing as they go along, whether it be by lakes, rivers, etc. or in dryer areas. I understand that mosquito season is usually June through July, but with it being a dryer year, would like to hear some reports on how bad they are in various places.

Currently sitting in Ft Nelson. Think I saw one skeeter this morning carrying a small dog back into trees. Dog was able to wiggle free and escape.
Seriously, really not seen , felt or heard any. With the dry weather just not been any "YET".

On the trip north from May 6 to 13 we had no mosquito issue. So far nos issue in Alaska on the Kenai.

Mosquitoes are just part of the wildlife! They vary year to year, place to place, even day to day. I had a few years in Alaska when I didn't use repellent all summer long and more years when I used it every day. There's really no foretelling of mosquitoes. They don't like smoke, they don't like wind...but they do like blood ;-) But they are as much of part of the great north as anything else. They make repellent for dogs too!

Start now taking b vitamins in good quantities and while your up there don't eat potatoes or bananas. Skeeters hate the B's, B-6 specifically and they are drawn to potassium, heat, and carbon dioxide (which is why they seem worse when you are working hard.)

There are virtually none so far in the Whitehorse area, I expect because it's been so incredibly dry.

I have seen 3 mosquitoes so far this year. Dry. The little flying bugs are more of a problem this early in the year.

Much depends on where and when you are in the neighborhood. At our cabin which is in an open area with light wind, there are few skeeters. Take a walk down our shaded driveway and you'll be swarmed if you stop for a second. On a cool morning, nothing is active. Before a rain, egads, they're bloodthirsty.

In the city (Whitehorse) I haven't seen one yet.
Lots hit my windshield on the way home though. I admit to not feeling remorse with a bug gets in the way of my car.

For the dogs, Advantix or Frontline will help a lot. Tends to keep the skeeters from swarming them. For my short-haired dog, it saves him. The long-haired dog gets swarmed but they can bite only her muzzle area.

Kinda tells you something when mosquitoes hit the windshield, doesn't it? Just sayin' . . .

Dale