PHOENIX — Arizona’s barrage of rain storms in recent months has brought in an unlikely pest to the desert region: mosquitoes.
The storms, including one that began Wednesday, has created a breeding ground for infestations that some longtime Phoenix residents say are as bad as they can ever remember.
Maricopa County environmental officials said they have received more than 10,000 mosquito-related complaints so far this year.
County Environmental Services Department spokesman Johnny Dilone said his office has received twice as many complaints as last year.
Standing water created by rain and flooding can lead to a surge in mosquito breeding. Dilone said the county sets out hundreds of traps each week.
More than 180 mosquito samples taken from traps this year have tested positive for West Nile virus.
