West Nile found in Douglas County mosquitoes

By Lake Tahoe News

Mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus have been found in two locations in Douglas County.

Douglas County Mosquito Abatement District was notified Aug. 14 about the results from traps set July 31 in the Westwood area of the Carson Valley as well as the traps set Aug. 2 west of Highway 88 and north of Centerville Lane.

DCMAD completed a ground fogging the night of Aug. 3 and on Aug. 4 did a morning aerial adulticide application of 550 acres to the west and north of Westwood. Another evening fogging was done Aug. 9. Based on the test results, DCMAD plans to conduct a fogging the evening of Aug. 16 and also a morning aerial adulticide application.

At the second location DCMAD completed ground fogging the evening of Aug. 2, the morning of Aug. 4, along with a morning aerial application of 80 acres south of Centerville Lane, and a ground fogging again the night of Aug. 10. Another ground fogging is set for morning of Aug. 16 and a morning aerial application on Aug. 17.

According to DCMAD, most effective way to avoid West Nile virus disease is to prevent mosquito bites. DCMAD advises people to take the following precautions throughout the summer months:

·      Use insect repellents when outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection.

·      When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don’t apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.

·      Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.

·      Mosquito-proof your home. Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Use your air conditioning, if you have it. Empty standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and birdbaths on a regular basis.