Fewer mosquitoes thanks to dry weather

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - You may have noticed fewer mosquitoes out and about this season.

Experts say it's because of the dry weather pattern we're experiencing this year.

"Mosquitos flourish with water," Jack DenUyl of Mosquito Squad, a company that specializes in getting rid of the bugs, told 24 Hour News 8. "Give us a few rains and things will change dramatically."

It only takes about a bottle cap full of water for 300 mosquito eggs to flourish, DenUyl said.

Once West Michigan gets some rain, the bugs will be back in no time. Experts say there will likely be a lot more bugs all at once.

"When females hatch they are looking for a blood meal," DenUyl said.

If you want to avoid mosquitoes, keep standing water away and use bug repellant.

Despite what you may think of mosquitoes, remember they do play an important role in nature.

They are at the bottom of the food chain and serve as a nutritious snack for birds and fish. If they weren't around, experts say it would be a detriment to our ecosystem.