This week is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week (June 26-July 2nd). The goal of the campaign is to remind people to protect themselves against mosquitoes especially in the summer months.
In the past, information about mosquitoes instructed people to avoid being outside at dusk. However, some of the mosquitoes species that carry the Zika virus are considered “day” biters, so it is important to protect yourself at all times while outdoors. Keep this in mind if you plan to camp, attend a barbecue, or sit by a pool.
Certain mosquitoes can breed in very small amounts of water. Make sure your yard or landscape is not a habitat for mosquitoes by covering or cleaning up an items that can hold...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
From the UCANR Green Blog
UC entomologist Anton Cornel, based at the UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center, is working with the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District in Fresno County to battle Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the species that can spread zika, chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever viruses, reported Barbara Anderson in the Fresno Bee.
(While populations of aedes aegypti
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
- Contributor: Andrew Mason Sutherland
You may be seeing long-legged, flying insects in your house lately, bouncing around the walls, ceilings, and corners. Many people call these “mosquito hawks” or “mosquito eaters,” but unfortunately, they are not predators of mosquitoes.
These flying insects are actually adult crane flies and although annoying to find in the home, they are basically harmless and won't help with any mosquito problems.
Many reports claim these adult European crane flies (Tipula paludosa) bite or sting, but this is false. Most adult crane flies, which superficially resemble large mosquitoes with very long legs, eat very little, if at all. Adult crane flies live for only a few weeks, and when they find their...
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
Since this week is California Mosquito Control Awareness Week, we thought we'd run a recent mosquito-related post again. [See the full post here.]
How is Zika Transmitted? The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by the bite of an infected female Aedes egypti mosquito, a species also known to carry yellow fever. The Zika virus is thought to also be transmitted via blood transfusion and sexual contact, and in rare cases from mother to child. Researchers are currently investigating the link between the Zika virus and birth defects including microcephaly.
How to Protect Yourself. To protect yourself...
It's Mosquito Awareness Week (April 17-23) in California. The Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC) is promoting this week to educate the public about how to control mosquitoes, as spring is when mosquito populations begin to multiply and can reach large numbers.
The MVCAC recommends the public practice the “D's” of mosquito prevention:
- DRAIN all standing water.
- DAWN and DUSK are times to avoid being outside.
- DRESS in long sleeves to avoid being bitten.
- DEFEND yourself from mosquitoes with an effective repellent.
- DOOR and window...