West Nile Virus Protection

Summertime is the time for picnics, swimming, baseball, and mosquitoes. But it’s the late summer mosquitoes that are the most dangerous for transmitting the West Nile virus.

According to the Minnesota Mosquito Control District, the Culex mosquito, which transmits West Nile Virus, are more prevalent in the late summer and fall. The mosquito lays its eggs on water that has been sitting around since the spring and early rains.

The Culex Tarsalis mosquito feeds on birds until late July or early August. After that it starts feeding on mammals. It is at this time that the infected mosquitoes transmit the West Nile Virus to humans.

Mosquitoes can breed in just one inch of water. The best way to eliminate mosquitoes is to deprive them of areas where they can lay eggs. This means emptying tires, cans, pans, trash can lids turned upside down, wheelbarrows, buckets, etc. of any standing water. Birdbaths should have fresh water every day.

Spraying the lawn areas monthly with horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, or Neem will also reduce mosquito populations.

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