Horrible Swarms of Mosquitos in Arctic Alaska

This video shows me and my girlfriend exposing ourselves to the swarms of mosquitos that come every summer in Arctic Alaska. Few people know just how terrible the mosquitos can be at the top of the world. Because the ground is flat and mostly comprised of permafrost, (permanently frozen soil) come springtime, winter snowmelt can’t be absorbed into the ground. This turns the northern part of the state into a boggy, mosquito breeding ground. There are 35 species of mosquitos in Alaska, and they make the Arctic a living nightmare for two to three months each summer.

[casienwhey]

This gives me chills to watch. Honestly being attacked by a horde of mosquitoes is a form of torture.

[Spaethon]

I always hear Florida is the worst for mosquitos. I live here in FL and yes, we have year-around mosquitos. But what we have is NOTHING compared to what I've seen in Alaska and Canada

[godziller]

I've heard them referred to as the Alaskan state bird.

[dpedd]

Ahh the one thing nobody talks about. They always say come visit.

[hoagiesupreme]

There also are fewer animals in arctic regions for them to fed on, so when they find one they are ferocious.

[maxbrazil]

After my father passed I cracked open a 50 year old attic box filled winter stuff from when we lived in Alaska during the early 70's. The stench of "Off" bug spray spilled forth and I was nostalgically transported back to those glorious times tramping through the deep woods and stealing summer strawberries at 2am from the neighbors. I slept in the basement so my window was at ground level and made for an easy escape.

[MisterMcKnight]

was ready to move to alaska until I saw this. I'm good.

[mr.mediocregamer]

Every time I get it in my head that I wish I could move to Alaska for it's natural beauty, I watch this video and remind myself why I'd never do that.

[kaister]

So, if you happen to find yourself in the middle of this swarm with no protection. Do you become like a mummy or something? They just suck every drop out of you and the police find a dehydrated carcass later on?

[kathleencavender]

Peppermint oil worked for me for 16 years living in Wasilla Alaska and fishing on the Russian river.

[anastasiyafistashka]

That buzzing sounds makes me twitch!
Is it the same in the city limits though?

[TheKeenTribe]

I live in Alaska. They were so bad this year you couldn't even enjoy the outdoors!

[geraldsanchez]

I live in Alaska and from the first week of June until Mid August I cannot go outside without getting bit at least 3 times. The mosquitoes here are highly aggressive compared to the ones I dealt with back in the south. The mosquitoes up here flat out assualt you and will bite you any place they can. Getting bit on the palms of your hands or the fingertips is the worst!

[katannyayee]

I just read a fact in a book (the mosquito) that a mosquito swarm can suck half the blood of an adult human in two hours, and I had to YouTube it to understand. Holy hell!

[davidcarruthers]

I have been there... no words can describe the total nastiness and horror, yes horror of these things . If you are not protected when walking out there, the welts, oozing punctures, foul smell is indescribable . These things will get under your eye lids, in your lungs . Unbelievable problem.... You will not see this on Alaskan tourist advertisements, , , ,

[karimtemri]

Mosquitoes in Europe: damn mosquito, make my arm itchy
Mosquitoes in Africa: damn mosquito, you gave me malaria
Mosquitoes in America: help help they are ...aaarghh (flatlines)

[JadedHunter]

That's just like summer in tropical Australia. Fond memories of the slap dance.

[ђђк-бщ]

You need cowboy style hat for the net to be really working. It didn't remove the sound however, which is the worst thing in the end to me.

[P-U-S-S]

I really like being bitten by thousands of mozzies, it makes me so relaxed and sleepy or maybe thats the loss of blood

[lijiang]

The reason Alaska has the worst mosquitoes include that the ground is flat, and is mostly composed of Permafrost (Permanently frozen soil). During Spring, Winter snowmelt can't be absorbed to the ground, so when the snow melts, it forms pools and dump a lot of stagnant water. That would be a great place for mosquitoes to breed.