As summer quickly approaches and we find ourselves getting outside a bit more, remember to take care to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
According to Gary Goodman, District Manager of Sacramento Yolo Mosquito and Vector control, many residents are anxious and excited to get outside and enjoy the warm weather so it's important to protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing a good mosquito repellent.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using an insect repellent that contains the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or the plant-based oil of lemon eucalyptus. Aside from personal protection against mosquito bites, it's important to ensure mosquitoes are not breeding at home. Drain...
(Credit: James Gathany, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
With recent rains in many parts of California and the weather warming up, it's time once again to think about mosquito prevention and control. Even though we are all mostly indoors right now, there are things we can do to reduce mosquito-breeding areas in our backyards, gardens, patios, and other areas that hold standing water. UC IPM has information to help.
In the newly revised Pest Notes: Mosquitoes, you'll find general mosquito prevention tips as well as information on the most recent mosquitoes to become established in California: species in the...
Summer is all about being outdoors and enjoying camping, swimming, playing, and other activities with family and friends. But it's a real drag when pests such as ants, yellowjackets, or mosquitoes ruin the fun.
When you have a pest problem and want to find a solution quickly, it can be helpful to watch a short video that tells you what you can do. In UC IPM's Video Library, you will find over 30 helpful videos on these and other common pests that are active in summer or other times of the year.
1. Ants: Using a Sticky Barrier to Prevent Ants on Trees and Shrubs
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...
