Mosquitoes have arrived in Saskatoon ahead of schedule this year.

“April was really mild, so it took less time for the larva to develop,” said Jeff Boone, the city’s pest management supervisor.

City workers have already begun testing water and spreading larvacide in wet, marshy areas of Saskatoon. Crews will continue to test water and spread the biological insecticide until September.

Mosquitoes feed on larvacide and die off before they get their wings.

Boone said despite the insects’ early arrival this year, it’s still tough to predict what the mosquito population will look like this summer.

April was mild but also dry, he said. Drier conditions mean less mosquito habitat.

“It’s very hard to say… what May will bring because precipitation and temperature are the two major factors that drive mosquito numbers.”

Residents are asked to remove any standing water from their property to help control the mosquito population.