NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- A team of scientists monitoring mosquito development in the state said Thursday that the recent wet weather will likely cause the state to see a record number of mosquitoes.

They said the increased number of mosquitoes will also mean a higher risk of diseases.

Scientist Predicts Record Mosquito Numbers

"I think our record is 250,000 mosquitoes, and if the weather patterns continue, I think we're likely to break that," said Dr. Theodore Andreadis, the state's chief medical entomologist. "As of last Friday, we had already trapped, identified and tested over 70,000 mosquitoes, so that's quite a bit of work, and I think that trend is only going to continue."

He said none of the mosquitoes tested so far have been carrying West Nile virus or eastern equine encephalitis, but that they're bracing for that later in the summer. He said they're particularly focused on EEE, since they're seeing high numbers of the species of mosquito associated with that virus.

"Usually, when we see increasing numbers of this particular mosquito, EEE follows, so we're monitoring it closely," Andreadis said.

But, he said, there are precautions residents can take to minimize the risk of infection. For instance, he said, look for anything that might hold standing water, such as birdbaths and used tires. He said the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus will develop in those habitats.

If tests start showing a lot of mosquitoes carrying the virus, Andreadis said, towns or the Department of Environmental Protection will have to start spraying to slow the mosquitoes down.

"Once the patterns break and we move into hot weather, I think things are going to really explode," he said.