The Warren County Health Department is knee deep in mosquito surveillance and collected batches thus far have all been negative for West Nile Virus. While the population of mosquitoes doesn’t seem to be as intense this year, Administrator Jenna Link offers tips to minimize mosquito friendly environments:
“There are about 30 counties in the state right now that have had positive mosquitoes, so we just kind of track the progression throughout the state and watching numbers. The incidents of West Nile Virus is a lot less this year as it was this time a year ago. The population doesn’t seem to be as intense with the mosquitoes. We just tell people that with these hot temperatures, these heavy rains create some ponding water, and the ground is pretty saturated. When that water starts sitting, if it can hold water for seven days, a mosquito can lay eggs in that. One female mosquito can lay 400 eggs at a time. Typically, from an egg to an adult mosquito take two weeks, this time of the year as the temperature is up, that can be accomplished is about seven days. If you are out in the yard, dusk to dawn, the times when they really like to bite, wear protective clothing and your bug spray.”
Mosquitoes in Warren County will continue to be monitored for West Nile Virus through mid-August.
