March 28, 2024

Marshalltown combats mosquitoes

MARSHALLTOWN (AP) — The central Iowa city of Marshalltown skipped its usual summer practice of spraying for mosquitoes last year, as drought substantially curbed the pest’s population.

Not this year.

Heavy rains this spring and summer have the town scrambling to control an onslaught of the bloodsucking insects.

The Marshalltown Times-Republic reports that crews sprayed along the town’s streets Wednesday and into Thursday morning.

The Iowa State University’s entomology department website says the mosquito population across Iowa is more than six times higher now than the same time last year.