Saskatchewan farmers may be forced to spray to control the pesky wheat midge this year.

The provincial insect pest management specialist, James Tansey, says the 2020 forecast shows relatively low risk for much of the province.

But he says there will be some hot spots, notably in the east around Yorkton and southeast of Regina.

“The 2019 survey indicates that we’re seeing an uptick for 2020,” said Tansey. “Primarily in the northern and north central growing regions, but there are a couple of hot spots as well in the east/ southeast.”

Tansey says the wheat midge thrives in wet soil so a rainy spring will improve insect numbers.

He says producers have a choice of several wheat midge tolerant varieties.