Traps checked weekly for West Nile, EEE
There's no 'official survey,' but more people tell us they're noticing more mosquitoes this summer, even in places where they are normally not pests.
Lisa Letteney, who does environmental health assessments for the Onondaga County Health Department, says the summertime surveillance program is in full force. Traps collect mosquitoes, which are sent to labs in Albany weekly to check for West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encepalitis and other mosquito-borne diseases. So far, all samples have come back negative, which means there can be no spraying, even though Letteney says they're getting requests from homeowners, who want relief from bites.
There are suggestions to protect yourself: make sure there's no standing water in your yard, where mosquitos can breed.
That includes making sure swimming pools and little kiddie pools are clean, that there's no water accumulating in garden pot saucers, and that birdbaths' water is not stagnant. Also wearing long sleeves and pants, especially when insects are more active, around dusk and dark, and using a repellant--Deet and Picardin are two effective active ingredients.
The Onondaga County Health Department has more information on its website and you can also call 435-3280 to request 'Fight the Bite' information pamphlets (which are also available at area libraries).
