2024 could be a great year for the Dutch mosquito population, thanks to the warm, wet spring, experts say.

Mosquitos lay their eggs in water and all possible breeding locations are now filled, especially in private gardens, Wageningen University biologist Arnold van Vliet told RTL Nieuws.

“It will be a very interesting mosquito season,” he said. “The mosquito needs moisture and a high temperature. The more moisture, the better, and it has rained an awful lot.”

Weather bureau Buienradar also has a mosquito map which translates the weather into ideal mosquito conditions based on temperature, humidity, rain and wind.

A large part of the map is currently yellow because it is still too early in the season for real problems and the mosquito population still has to build up.

But this year, the first generation hatched around May 23, which is much earlier than last year, and that means there will be more generations to contend with this summer.

The fourth generation will hatch at the end of July and the fifth in mid-August, Van Vliet said. “That is, if there are enough breeding places. Then the problems will be at their worst.”