LAKEPORT >> Have you noticed more mosquitoes than usual this spring? The Lake County Vector Control District has been swarmed by requests for mosquito control, but the unusual weather has sometimes hampered their efforts.
“The abundant rains provided a lot of mosquito sources, and we’re getting out as fast as we can,” said Jamesina Scott, Vector Control’s District Manager and Research Director. “But many of our treatments depend on the right weather conditions, and the weather this spring has limited the nights we’ve been able to treat for the adult mosquitoes — mainly the treehole mosquitoes and the snowmelt mosquitoes.”
Heavy rainfall this year has left water standing throughout the county. Clear Lake remains at or slightly above the full mark of 7.56 on the Rumsey Gauge as of Monday morning, and water remains in low lying areas. Scientists at the Lakeport office report that this has created the perfect habitat for a record number of mosquitoes.
“As the rainy season comes to an end and temperatures rise, we will see increased mosquito activity,” State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said in a statement.
The Western Treehole Mosquito, also known by its scientific name Aedes sierrensis, is a small, black and white mosquito that comes out near sunset, but will also bite if you venture into shaded areas. The mosquito larvae grow in the water that collects in cavities within the oaks, but will also inhabit water trapped in other trees like walnuts and madrones.
The treehole mosquito is an aggressive human biter, but a poor flier. According to Scott, even setting an oscillating fan out on the patio when it starts to bite may offer some relief.
These mosquitoes are found throughout Lake County.
The Snowpool Mosquito, Aedes increpitus, is poorly named for the area. At higher elevations it develops in the pools of water left by melting snow, but locally, this species comes from puddles filled by rainwater or high lake levels.
The adult mosquitoes are large, and usually emerged March and April. Snowpool mosquitoes are aggressive human-biting mosquitoes, and strong fliers that may travel a few miles from where they hatched. They are found in many areas of Lake County.
Vector Control also received a number of calls about Rice Flies, a non-biting midge that looks like a mosquito. In recent weeks, there has been a large emergence of Rice Flies from Clear Lake, and these insects have seen forming large humming swarms near sunset or resting on walls by the thousands.
Treating for mosquitoes doesn’t affect the Rice Flies. However, their numbers appear to be fading and the insects have a short life span.
“We have people who want us to spray for the Rice Flies, and we have to explain that those insects will die within a day, so it makes no sense to spend your taxpayer money to spray,” Scott explained.
In contrast, mosquitoes can live for several weeks. And they breen in small amounts of water.
Scientists and technicians at Vector Control evaluate each request for mosquito treatment and determine the best response. As weather begins to cooperate, the mitigation effort will be more efficient.
In the meantime Scott recommends that residents prevent mosquitoes from growing on your property by:
· Dumping out containers of water. Buckets, wheelbarrows, and children’s toys are obvious sources, but other mosquito sources are easily overlooked, like the water that collects in tarps covering woodpiles or vehicles, or the water trapped in clogged rain gutters.
· Maintain swimming pools and spas in good working order
· Pick up Mosquitofish from the Vector Control office if you have a pool or spa that is out of service or for your water garden, livestock watering troughs, a pond (natural or ornamental), large fountain, or other water feature
“It is particularly important for pregnant women and couples planning to become pregnant to prevent mosquito bites because Zika virus can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe birth defects if a pregnant woman becomes infected,” Smith said.
Zika virus is spread primarily through mosquito bites and can also be transmitted by both men and women during sex. Zika symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes, but most people who are infected with Zika virus do not experience any symptoms.
Public health officials say everyone — particularly women of childbearing age — should protect themselves against mosquito bites while traveling and when they return home. Sexually active people who travel to areas with Zika virus transmission should use condoms or other barriers to avoid getting or passing Zika virus during sex. While there has been no local transmission of Zika in California to date, the mosquitoes that can carry Zika virus live in many areas of California.
West Nile virus also is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can cause a deadly infection in humans, particularly the elderly. Symptoms may include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back. More severe symptoms — and even death — can occur.
The state’s first human infection of West Nile Virus this year was reported last month in Kings County.
And if mosquitoes are biting and you can’t go inside,
· Wear long sleeves and pants
· Use a mosquito repellent that contains Picaridin, IR 3535, DEET, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) answers many FAQs about mosquito repellents at https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an online tool to help you find the right repellent for you and your family at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents
· Check window and door screens and repair any holes to keep mosquitoes outside
· Cut down weeds to eliminate a place for adult mosquitoes to rest
· Contact the Lake County Vector Control District to request mosquito control services. If you are a Certified Organic Farmer registered with the Lake County Department of Agriculture, we have mosquito control products that comply with your certification requirements.
The District is fixing technical difficulties with its online service request. If you have a mosquito problem, please contact the Lake County Vector Control District by phone at 707-263-4770 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also email your name, daytime phone number, and address to info@LCVCD.org.
Vector Control District is a public health agency that protects Lake County residents and visitors from mosquitoes and other vectors of disease. More information about the District and its program is available on their website at www.LCVCD.org.
Bay Area News Group reporter Tracy Seiple contributed to this report
