SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield’s mosquito season is getting longer.

The warmer western Massachusetts gets over the years, the milder our winters are, and our springs and summers get longer. And more warmth, means we deal with mosquitoes for longer.

According to a Climate Central study, from 1980 to 1989, Springfield’s mosquito season averaged 64 days. From 2006 to 2015, that jumped to 90 days, and it’s because our temperatures are getting warmer.

But there are a few things you can do to protect yourself from the pesky bugs. Entomologist Natasha Wright of Braman Termite and Pest Elimination recommends, “Best way to protect yourself is not going out when mosquitoes are active.” 

Wright explained, “Most of those are going to be around dusk and dawn. If you are going out during those times, of course, wearing long sleeves, long pants, light colors.”

Don’t forget to wear a repellent with an ingredient like DEET. The two main diseases local mosquitoes can carry are the West Nile Virus and the Eastern Equine Encephalitis, better known as Triple-E. West Nile Virus can present itself with flu-like symptoms. Triple-E is very rare in humans, but according to Wright, it can lead to swelling of the brain. 

And right now is the time mosquito populations will really start ramping up. 

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