Metropolitan Mosquito Control District warns cattail mosquito spike likely; Anoka County to add treatments and drones

The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District told the Anoka County Board on April 7 that heavy rains last year mean a significant rise in cattail-associated mosquito breeding is likely this summer, and the district is expanding treatments in Anoka County to get ahead of the expected spike.

In a presentation to the board, MMCD Executive Director Daniel Huff and Public Affairs Manager Alex Carlson described how the district monitors and treats mosquitoes across a 2,900-square-mile service area that serves more than 3 million people. Alex Carlson said MMCD focuses on larval surveillance and targeted larval control, using materials he described as “very safe” and specific to mosquito larvae. “Our main active ingredient is BTI, which has been used for decades and and widely shown to only target mosquito larvae,” Carlson said.

Why this matters: Mosquitoes can spread diseases such as West Nile virus, Jamestown Canyon virus and La Crosse encephalitis. MMCD said its surveillance — which includes about 200 traps set weekly from mid-May through September, wetland dip sampling and an on-site lab that tests for West Nile virus — helps target treatments before human outbreaks occur.

MMCD officials said 2024’s extended rains increased cattail-site breeding fourfold compared with the previous year, and that pattern means an above-normal spike of cattail mosquitoes is likely in mid-summer. The district predicted the worst conditions will be away from the urban core and warned cabin-goers and people attending July Fourth gatherings to expect heavier mosquito activity.

Anoka County-specific response: MMCD said it doubled larval inspection acres in Anoka County last year, and this year has added staff, a second drone for the county, and a new field crew supervisor. Daniel Huff said Anoka County has “almost twice as much” mosquito breeding area as the other six metro counties combined and that the agency will begin treatments for cattail mosquitoes in Anoka County the week following the briefing.

Funding and operations: MMCD’s funding comes from property taxes; officials said the median homeowner pays about $11 a year for services including surveillance, larval and limited adult control, tick surveillance and public education. The district said helicopters remain a visible part of its larval program and that adult spraying is reserved mainly for disease suppression or large public events.

Operational changes and staffing: MMCD plans to expand its drone fleet so each facility has access to drones for medium- and small-sized wetlands that are hard to reach on foot. The district also reported hiring a new vector ecologist, a quality-assurance specialist, a business administrator, and additional field supervisors; its longtime entomologist Diane Crane is retiring in April after nearly 40 years of service.

Public resources: MMCD recommended residents sign up for email alerts and use the district website for interactive maps, weekly activity updates and treatment schedules. Officials said the district sends alerts at least 24 hours before adult mosquito treatments and typically a week’s notice for helicopter work.

Board reaction: Commissioners thanked MMCD for the presentation and asked about hiring and public outreach. Commissioner Meissner noted the county’s high proportion of breeding sites and welcomed additional drones and staffing to “make sure that we’re serving your residents and providing the best value.”

Outlook: MMCD cautioned that mosquito forecasts depend on near-term weather; the National Weather Service expects a drier stretch over June–August, which could moderate floodwater species but not the cattail spike driven by last year’s rains.