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Mosquitoes will be out in full force this weekend

Experts with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District say the late spring is keeping most of the bugs at bay. However, that's all about to change after a string of rainy days this week.

MINNESOTA-- Up until now the Minnesota mosquito season has been relatively quiet.

Experts with the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District say the late spring is keeping most of the bugs at bay.

However, that's all about to change after a string of rainy days this week.

“We had our first significant rainfall district wide this week," MMCD spokesperson Molly Nee says.

"They take about a week or so to grow and hatch,”

District officials sent out six helicopter crews Wednesday to help control the swarm.

The helicopters are loaded with a specially designed bacteria pellet that is harmless to humans and other animals.

“The mosquito larva eat that bacteria and they die in the water,” Nee explains.

The helicopter crews are focusing on wetlands that are two acres in size or larger.

Smaller wetlands can be handled by crews on the ground, Nee says.

“We have people out dipping the sites and making sure they’re finding the larva and treating them before they hatch,” Nee says.

Experts say Anoka and Washington Counties both seem to attract more mosquitoes than others.

They’re encouraging residents to check their backyards for standing water.

“Making sure that if there are tarps collecting water, buckets, any sort of pails, dump them out,” Nee says. “Make sure you’re not creating your own mosquito issue in your own yard.”

Experts say there are 51 different species of mosquitoes here in Minnesota.

Only 15 of those species are known to bite humans.

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