Warming temperatures combined with late spring rains create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, including the mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus. To help spread the message about mosquito prevention, April 15-21, 2018 has been designated as Mosquito and West Nile Virus Awareness Week.
West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes that get the virus from infected birds. Mosquitoes infected with the virus can transfer it to humans and other animals. Humans infected with the virus may become very ill. The disease usually is most serious in children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly. In 2017, California reported 553 human cases of West Nile Virus, which included 44...
Summer may be over, but continued warm weather means that mosquitoes are still active. So far this year, 361 cases of the mosquito-borne illness West Nile Virus (WNV) have been reported* in 23 California counties from Imperial to Shasta. Sadly, 18 of these cases resulted in death. The disease is most serious in children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.
Mosquitoes that can transmit WNV breed in aquatic environments like ponds or other sources of stagnant water such as roof gutters, bird baths, and swimming pools.
You can minimize mosquito habitat in your landscape by:
- Cleaning rain gutters and downspouts to remove debris.
- Sealing rain barrels. Keep all filters and prefilters...
![Culex mosquito biting through human skin. [J.K. Clark]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/43117small.jpg)
April 16-22 has been declared West Nile Virus and Mosquito Vector Control Awareness week by the California State Legislature. West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease that was originally found in Africa. It was first detected in the eastern U.S. in 1999, and has since spread across the country and is well established in most states, including California.
West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes that get the virus from infected birds. Once infected, mosquitoes then transfer the virus to humans and other animals. Infected humans can become very ill. The disease usually is most serious in children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.
As weather warms and people spend more time outdoors, it's...
![Adult mosquito. [J.K.Clark]](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/UCIPMurbanpests/blogfiles/42359small.jpg)
Spring is almost here and temperatures are already increasing. Warm, sunny days paired with stagnant water left over from rainstorms create the perfect mosquito breeding habitat.
It's too soon to tell the future regarding the intensity of the West Nile virus in California. However, more rainfall means there is an increased potential for mosquito breeding sites.
Your active participation can help reduce mosquito populations. Follow these guidelines:
- Dump water out of buckets, tires, flowerpots and other containers.
- Clean clogged rain gutters.
- Eliminate tarps or other sources that hold water.
- Keep screen doors and windows in good condition.
- Report neglected swimming...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
For many people, warmer weather means more time outside and more exposure to mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are not only annoying, they can also transmit the potentially deadly West Nile virus.
Two new videos from UC IPM, “Don't let mosquitoes breed in your yard!” and “Protect yourself from mosquito bites” show how to keep yourself and your family from getting bitten and how to eliminate sites around your home where mosquitoes can breed.
Find out more on UC IPM's Mosquito page:
