Prepare for increase in mosquitoes this spring and summer

With increased water in the area from recent winter and spring storms that brought record-breaking precipitation into the area, Douglas County Emergency Management and Mosquito Abatement General Improvement District is expecting more mosquitos in Douglas County this season.

Typically mosquito breeding sites in Douglas County are monitored starting April 1. The long winter has not allowed for this process. Standing water creates opportunities for mosquitoes to develop and bites from mosquitoes can transmit diseases to people and animals.

Mosquitoes can carry the West Nile virus. Bites from infected mosquitos transmit disease to people and animals. Protect your horses from the West Nile Virus by contacting your veterinarian to have your horse vaccinated. Dogs can get heartworm from mosquitos. Talk to your veterinarian about for more information on heartworm.

To keep mosquitoes from biting, residents can apply insect repellent containing EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus to repel the insects. Wearing pants and long-sleeved shirts is also advised. Repair your door and window screens to keep mosquitoes out. Once mosquitos are hatched, they are most active at dawn and the first two hours after sunset.

The Douglas County Mosquito District is asking residents to help with the following around their home to help with mosquito control:

• Eliminate artificial mosquito sources (dump any standing water or any objects that can trap or collect water such as wading pools, containers, bird baths, watering troughs, fish ponds, pet watering bowls, street and roof gutters and irrigated lawns or fields.
• Aerate ornamental ponds and clean vegetation branches.
• Minimize mosquito resting sites by thinning branches, pruning shrubs, and keeping grasses mowed, including pasture grass if possible.

For more information about fogging services and mosquitos in Douglas County call (775) 782-4642 or visit www.dcmosquito.org