LAKE COUNTY — Four more mosquito samples collected this week in the county tested positive for West Nile virus.
Each of the positive mosquito samples from this week were of the same species: the Western Encephalitis Mosquito (Culex tarsalis).
The positive mosquitoes were collected from four different locations: Clearlake Oaks, Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, south of Kelseyville near Highway 175 and near Upper Lake.
A total of nine mosquito samples from Lake County have tested positive for West Nile this year. No other West Nile virus activity was reported in the county this year.
“2012 has already been a very active year for West Nile virus, and the West Nile virus season still has at least another month to go,” Jamesina J. Scott, Ph.D, district manager and research director with the Lake County Vector Control District, said.
Scott reminded residents that “the two most important things you can do are dump out any standing water where mosquitoes develop, and if you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, use a mosquito repellent (and always read and follow the label directions).”
One neglected “green” pool can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes per week, and those mosquitoes can fly up to 5 miles. Residents can report neglected pools and other mosquito sources to the district at 263-4770 or online at www.lcvcd.org.
District officials recommend residents
– Avoid being outside when mosquitoes are active, especially near dusk and dawn.
– Wear long sleeves and pants and use a mosquito repellent if they are outside when mosquitoes are active.
– Dump out buckets, wading pools and other sources of water where mosquitoes develop.
– Contact the district to request service if they are having problems with mosquitoes or have large sources of standing water.
Lake County Vector Control provides free mosquito-eating fish to county residents for use in animal water troughs, ornamental ponds and out-of-service “green” swimming pools.
Vector Control regularly traps and tests mosquitoes throughout the county to identify areas that are highest at-risk, and targets those areas for source reduction and treatment.
For more information about West Nile virus, visit www.westnile.ca.gov.
