How climate and weather affects mosquitos and ticks in Illinois

Mosquitos are a common sight in the summer, but they’re more than just a nuisance. As the climate warms, mosquito populations are increasing around the world.

According to the CDC, rising temperatures can increase hot humid days in the midwest, which is a great environment for mosquitos to thrive in. And some species carry diseases that can pose risks to public health. 

Illinois is home to 60 species of mosquitoes and about a dozen of them can transmit diseases.

Illinois State Climatologist with the Prairie Research Institute, Trent Ford and Associate Research Scientist and Medical Entomologist at The Illinois Natural History Survey, Chris Stone, discuss how weather and climate impacts mosquitos and ticks in Illinois.

Funding for Weather Realness is partially provided by the Backlund Charitable Trust.  If you have a question for a local scientist on this program, please leave a voicemail at 217.333.2141 or email weatherrealness@illinois.edu.