Flood Waters, Warmer Temps Could Bring More Mosquitoes

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The cooler spring so far means mosquito season has been delayed, but with the recent floods and warming temperatures, your back yard could soon be a haven for the buzzing, bloodsucking pests.

As if dealing with flood damage wasn't enough, adding the warmer temperatures this week means mosquitos soon will be on their way, according to experts.

Dominic Caliendo, owner of pest control company Mosquito Squad, said conditions could have been worse.

"It's actually a good thing that we didn't get the 80 degrees coinciding with the massive flooding. That would have really led to a huge issue. It's good that there's been a little bit of a break," he said.

The break from mosquitos won't last much longer.

"Within the next 7 to 10 days, homeowners can expect to see an emergence of mosquitos. You'll notice it at night," Caliendo said.

The good news though, the mosquitos that will be out soon are "floodwater mosquitos," so they don't carry West Nile virus or other diseases carried by culex mosquitos.

Floodwater mosquitos are mostly nuisances, buzzing in ears, and biting, but not transmitting disease, at least not to humans.

"Everybody is going to notice. They have a very painful bite. They're very persistent biters," Caliendo said. "They only disease they are really known to transmit is dog heartworm."

So, while it's warm out and mosquitos aren't here yet, Caliendo said homeowners should start spring cleaning now.

"This is the time when the 80 degree weather triggers the eggs to start hatching, so you need to eliminate the water now," he said. "One bad neighbor leaving something out as small as a kiddie pool could cause months of distress for the rest of the residents in the neighborhood."

At least one local mosquito abatement district said they're calling in crews next week to monitor larvae.