It’s that time of year again - mosquitoes
- col-conservation-corner
- June 13, 2024
- 416
For years I have lived in the backwaters of Bolivar Dam. We have always had to contend with mosquitoes. But this year has been different. Almost any time of day, if you are sitting in the shade, you can get bit. I like to take walks in our woods. But this year my walk almost turns into a run. There are so many mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes in Ohio can carry different types of diseases. Mosquito bites can cause allergic reactions, illness or in some cases death. Mosquitoes can transmit numerous diseases to both humans and our pets. Some of the more common are the following:
—West Nile virus.
—St. Louis encephalitis.
—La Crosse encephalitis.
—East equine encephalitis.
There also are several mosquito-borne diseases Ohioans can acquire when traveling that could be brought back into Ohio:
—Chikungunya virus.
—Dengue.
—Japanese encephalitis virus.
—Malaria.
—Yellow fever.
—Zika virus.
In addition, the parasite that infects and kills dogs through heartworm also is transmitted through a mosquito bite. Disease is transmitted to humans when a mosquito bites an infected bird or mammal.
Some of our local governments spray for mosquitoes. Most use an ultra-low volume sprayer, spraying only a few ounces of pesticide per acre. Further, many of the newer pesticides are becoming more ecologically friendly, being more species specific so as to avoid killing other more beneficial insects. Some political jurisdictions also will conduct larvaciding, which is adding chemicals to standing water to prevent mosquito eggs from hatching.
Mosquito-borne diseases can affect farm animals as well as human beings. The mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis is nearly always fatal in unvaccinated horses. It also can affect other livestock such as sheep and goats.
Mosquito life cycle
Mosquitoes must have standing water to lay their eggs. Mosquitoes can lay up to 400 or more individual eggs. One stray bucket or tire left outside could affect an entire neighborhood. Larvae feed on bits of organic matter in the water, and they become full grown in approximately one week. Female mosquitoes are ready to bite one to two days after reaching adulthood. Male mosquitoes do not bite.
Prevention
Even though some municipalities and jurisdictions do spray and treat for mosquitoes, most of us probably live in an area with little to no treatment. What can we do?
Water management (mosquito breeding sites) is essential for control. Eggs do not hatch unless they are in water. Any standing water that becomes stagnant is a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes. Some things you can do to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding at your home:
—Screen your rain barrel.
—Empty any containers that fill with water such as pop cans, buckets, bird baths, et cetera.
—Keep your gutter clean so rain water can drain appropriately.
—Fill in any holes in your ground so they do not hold water; you can fill in the holes with gravel or dirt. Such holes could be something as simple as a hoof print in the mud. A tree hole in a stump or log also is another common breading site.
—Leaking outdoor faucets can cause standing water.
—Unused swimming pools or watering troughs.
—Make sure your gutters and downspouts are not clogged.
—Get rid of or cover old tires.
Recommendations to avoid the mosquito bite
—Wear long sleeves and pants and keep skin covered when possible, especially if you are allergic to the bites, in addition to using appropriate repellents when outdoors.
—Know when the mosquitoes are most active — usually during the early morning hours and late evening hours.
—Keep them out of your house with screens on windows and doors.
—Mosquitoes rest in tall weeds/grass and on the underside of the leaves of trees.
Report standing water
Report any large areas of standing/stagnant water to your local health department. The following link has contact information for your local health department: https://odh.ohio.gov/find-local-health-districts.
If you need more information, the Ohio Department of Health has more detailed information regarding mosquitoes and mosquito protection. Visit https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/zoonotic-disease-program/diseases/mosquito-borne-diseases.
If you are unable to locate the information you need, call the Tuscarawas SWCD office at 330-339-7976, and we will try to provide the information you need.