ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – While fall has traditionally signaled colder temperatures ahead, warmer weather lingering longer over the last couple of years has Albuquerque health leaders warning people about a longer pest season. The experts said warmer weather and a wet monsoon season are keeping both mosquitoes and fleas around Albuquerque for longer than what’s normal.
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“Unfortunately, some of those mosquitoes that are real big pests around the house right now, you’re gonna see some of those persist until the freeze,” City of Albuquerque Urban Biology Division Manager Nick Pederson said.
Pederson went on to say the city is seeing more mosquitoes that have adapted to survive through the shorter days. Last year, Albuquerque’s first freeze was on Halloween. But in years past, the first freeze wasn’t until Thanksgiving.
Another pest that’s expected to live through the freeze and survive through the winter is the flea. “You aren’t gonna see fleas dying off in the winter,” Pederson said. “So when we talk about plague concerns and with the recent plague case in Bernalillo County, we recommend flea protection on your pets year-round.”
Pederson went on to say the flea has adapted to pick hosts that burrow in the winter, and they’ll stay on those hosts through the cold season to survive.
The Albuquerque Environmental Health Department also said anyone enjoying the outdoors before it gets cold should think about carrying bug spray for at least another month.
KRQE News 13’s meteorologists are predicting the first freeze in Albuquerque should fall somewhere around November 3 this year.
