By Elmer Gray
University of Georgia
In football season, most folks don’t think much about
mosquitoes. But
they should. They’re still active, and it’s important to remain
vigilant against them and the West Nile virus they can carry.
Many mosquito species have tested positive for West Nile virus
nationwide. But the primary carrier in Georgia is the southern
house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus).
This species prefers to breed in polluted water and the storm
drain systems of towns and cities. The recent drying trend makes
conditions ideal for this species.
Many entomologists believe the heavy rains of earlier this
summer helped to suppress this species by regularly flushing the
storm drain systems.
Empty all water containers
Fortunately for Georgians, the Asian tiger mosquito, which is
very common in many neighborhoods, hasn’t proven a significant
vector of West Nile virus.
This mosquito prefers to breed in containers (buckets, tires,
pet dishes and anything else that will hold a little water). It
can best be controlled if homeowners are vigilant about
emptying anything that can hold water around their homes.
Coastal areas typically have a greater variety of mosquitoes
than upstate areas because there are more places with standing
water. But even in these areas, the southern house mosquito is
still the primary
vector of West Nile virus.
Bumper crop of bugs
Heavy early-summer rains produced a bumper crop of mosquitoes in
the low-lying swamp areas so common in south Georgia.
These higher-than-usual populations of Culiseta melanura,
the primary carrier of eastern equine encephalitis, produced an
outbreak of this disease that hadn’t been seen in several
years.
Eastern equine encephalitis is much more deadly than West Nile
virus with a case fatality rate near 50 percent as opposed to
West Nile virus’s 3 percent to 15 percent.
To date, Georgia has had two human cases of EEE, one of which
was fatal, and 14 cases of West Nile virus, one of which was
fatal.
Both of these diseases can cause encephalitis, an inflammation
of the brain. Even if encephalitis isn’t fatal, it can have long-
lasting health
implications.
Horses are also affected by both diseases, with 71 cases of EEE
and
16 cases of WNV in horses in Georgia this year.
Beat the bite
The best way to prevent any mosquito-borne diseases is to
prevent bites. Avoid areas of intense mosquito activity if you
can. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants. And use
insect repellent containing DEET.
With the opening of hunting season, hunters should be vigilant
when spending extended times in mosquito-infested areas.
Enlist neighbors in the fight
Homeowners, particularly those living in neighborhoods, often
face nuisance mosquito populations despite their best efforts to
prevent mosquito breeding.
Most mosquitoes can easily fly a quarter-mile. So it takes only
a few negligent people for an entire neighborhood to be
infested. Communication and education are the best tools in
these situations.
Make property less attractive to mosquitoes by
trimming grass and plants as short as possible around your home.
Mosquitoes like dense vegetation to rest in during the heat of
the day and to break wind currents. So the more open your
property is, the less suitable it is for mosquitoes.
Adult mosquitoes often prefer to rest in low-lying areas, which
have slightly higher humidity level and denser vegetation,
during the heat of the day.
Like other insects, mosquitoes typically survive longer if it’s
more humid. The cooler days of early fall also extend their
lives, since they don’t dry out as fast. However, they do
develop slower when it’s cooler outside.
The bottom line: stay vigilant a little longer. Avoid as many
mosquito bites as possible, and eliminate any standing water
around your home and neighborhood. Soon the leaves will be
turning and mosquitoes will be a distant memory.
