High temperatures increase risk of mosquito bites and West Nile virus
- Lake County Vector Control District
- Posted On
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Mosquitoes are here, despite the drought, and the high temperatures are ideal for both mosquitoes and West Nile virus to thrive.
Although no Lake County mosquitoes have tested positive yet for West Nile virus, or WNV, in 2022, the warm nights mean that the virus will be detected here soon in mosquitoes, dead birds or sentinel chickens.
In California, the number of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus activity increased sharply in the last two weeks.
So far, six California residents have been diagnosed with mosquito-borne illnesses this year.
“Both mosquito and West Nile virus activity increase when the overnight temperatures are 60°F or warmer,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “In a dry year like this, many people don’t think about mosquitoes or the diseases they carry, like West Nile or St. Louis encephalitis viruses. The best way to protect yourself is avoid mosquito bites.”
Scott said that if you plan to be outside when mosquitoes are active, apply an effective repellent that contains Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or DEET.
Mosquitoes develop in water, so you can protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites and West Nile virus by dumping out standing water.
Now is a great time to take a walk around your yard and look for places that might hold water like buckets, toys, and boats and dump out any water you find.
If you have water that can’t be drained, like a pond, livestock watering trough, water feature, or an out-of-service (green) swimming pool, then contact the district and we can provide free mosquito-eating fish to prevent mosquitoes from growing there.
Residents can report dead birds to help the district identify where West Nile virus activity is taking place.
All dead bird reports from the public are critical in helping the district direct mosquito operations. Report dead birds to the state’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-968-2473 (1-877-WNV-BIRD) or online at the California Department of Public Health's website, https://westnile.ca.gov/report.
The Lake County Vector Control District provides mosquito and vector control services to our community.
Residents with questions or who would like help with a mosquito problem, including reporting a neglected pool or spa, or who have an in-ground yellowjacket nest on their property that they want treated, should contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or request service online anytime at https://www.lcvcd.org/request-service-d649036.
For more information about the Lake County Vector Control District and its services, visit www.lcvcd.org.
For information about West Nile virus, visit http://westnile.ca.gov/.
Information about mosquito repellents can be found on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html.