ClimateQuiet 89d · day 89
Invasive mosquitoes thrive across US as climate warms
Two deadly species are expanding northward, prompting cities like Salt Lake to deploy novel control methods as disease risk rises.
What to know
- Two invasive mosquito species—Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus—are expanding their range across the U.S. as warming temperatures allow them to survive farther north and breed longer each year.
- Warmer conditions increase disease transmission risk: higher temperatures cause some species to bite more frequently, develop faster, and serve as more efficient virus incubators.
- While mosquito-borne diseases kill over 1 million annually worldwide, U.S. mainland cases remain in the low hundreds to thousands per year, though Puerto Rico and U.S. territories see far higher rates.
- Cities like Salt Lake are deploying novel control measures—bicycle-based larvicide application, mosquitofish hatcheries, and integrated pest management—to slow the species' expansion before disease risk escalates.
most voices
Climate change is driving the mosquito crisis but is being deliberately downplayed in public discourse.
-
“Climate change is bringing more & deadlier mosquitoes to the US, but I'm told we're "hushing" about climate these days, so, uh, don't mention it.”
volts.wtf · Bluesky
“Climate change is bringing more & deadlier mosquitoes to the US, but I'm told we're "hushing" about climate these days, so, uh, don't mention it.”
volts.wtf, Bluesky user · Bluesky
Ary Faraji Executive director, Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement DistrictAedes aegypti Invasive mosquito speciesAedes albopictus Invasive mosquito species
The record 2 articles and posts · last 30 days