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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently reported that a blue jay collected in Mecklenburg County on June 10 tested positive for West Nile Virus. If there is a positive aspect to the drought across much of the state, it is the fact that mosquito populations are generally down and this has in turn reduced the likelihood of problems with West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases, such as eastern equine encephalitis. However, we are still finding some mosquito populations and this is correlated with situations where there is standing water in flower pots, saucers, cans, open barrels and objects that people might have to catch rainwater to use for watering. County Extension agents should remind people that any standing water will be a potential mosquito breeding ground which needs to be removed wherever possible. We've had a number of inquiries about what to do if mosquitoes are found breeding in barrels in which are being used to collect water. The best approach is to use the Mosquito Dunks, the doughnut-like tablets that contain Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) that kills mosquitoes, fungus gnats and a few other fly species, but will not harm people, fish or plants. Instructions on the package explain how much of the dunk needs to be used for certain volumes of water. We also continue to get questions about the use of the Mosquito Magnet and similar devices that are advertised in newspapers, magazines and on television. As we have mentioned before, the devices will likely attract many species of mosquitoes, but there is a lack of scientifically sound data to show that these devices are effective in controlling mosquitoes and providing the type of protection asserted in claims by the manufacturers. Therefore, we are still not recommending these devices as a means of preventing mosquito bites. We still advice the careful use of insect repellents, limiting the use of such chemicals on small children.
Information about mosquitoes is available on our website at:
http://insects.ncsu.edu/westnile.htm
Information about insect repellents is found at:
http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/repel.htm
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on June 24, 2002 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.