“It’s fall, why am I still seeing mosquitoes?”
In Contra Costa County, there’s more than one mosquito season because we have more than one type of mosquito.
Contra Costa County is actually home to 23 known species of mosquitoes. Among these 23 different species, there are mosquitoes that have the ability to transmit the causative agents of diseases including West Nile virus, malaria, Western Equine Encephalitis, dog heartworm and St. Louis Encephalitis.
These 23 different species of mosquitoes also:
- Can fly distances up to 20 miles
- Are active winter, spring, summer or fall
- Can develop from egg to adult in many different types of water including salt water, fresh water and polluted water.
- Can develop in many different sources of water including ponds, naturally occurring pools, creeks, tree holes, neglected swimming pools, buckets and other man-made sources, marshes and agricultural areas including pastures.
In recent days, the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District has received reports from residents in Bethel Island, Knightsen and the Summer Lake area of Oakley, describing “vicious, day-biting mosquitoes.”
The District is aware of the mosquitoes in the area and District employees are working to locate and control the source of the mosquitoes.
They have identified the mosquitoes as irrigated pasture mosquitoes (Aedes nigromaculis and Aedes melanimon), which are known to be active in Contra Costa County primarily in summer and early fall and can fly up to 20 miles from irrigated agricultural areas in search of humans and large mammals including horses to bite.
They are also seeing an influx of western encephalitis mosquitoes (Culex tarsalis), which are capable of transmitting West Nile virus. These mosquitoes are known to be active in Contra Costa County from summer into early fall when pastures and fields are flooded for irrigation and duck hunting. So far, the District has not found any mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus. (Credit: https://decoypro.com/how-long-do-ducks-live/)
As a precaution, it is important for residents to protect themselves:
- Dump out any amount of standing water
- Avoid being out when mosquitoes are present: typically Dawn and Dusk
- Defend yourself against mosquitoes by wearing mosquito repellent
If you are being bitten by mosquitoes while on your own property, swat a mosquito, stick the dead mosquito in a clear baggie and contact the District to request a mosquito inspection. They need that sample to identify the mosquito species and to help direct us to the source of the mosquitoes.
I’ve never had a mosquito problem at my home in south PH. Can’t remember the last time I even saw a mosquito in my yards or gardens.
Same here.
Your home probably doesn’t have any gaps between the screen and the window frame, cracks in the walls, or bizarre window styles that leave room to trap bugs between the screen and the window pane. Unfortunately, we can’t all live in well-built or kept up homes.
Insect repellent is absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead of spraying your body with toxins, eat garlic. The odor of the sulfur compounds emitting through your skin will keep the mosquitoes away.
The main ingredient in insect repellent is DEET, a chemical that can melt plastic. They will tell you that it has a low toxicity, however, it is accumulative and over time can make you sick.
By the way, only the females will bite and suck your blood.
Mosquitos aren’t the only thing garlic will repel. I have to use DEET. If I don’t I can count on spider bites not just when I garden, but every time I spend time outdoors in my yard. The kind of spider bites that make you wish you were dead.
More rainfall in the year = more mosquitoes!
Friendly reminder for those without DEET/garlic: If there’s a mosquito in the house when you’re about to go to bed and you can’t find it, turn a fan onto your face/body (Ideally, pointed down the entire length of your body from your face–but if that’s not possible, keep it on your face.). The currant will make it impossible for the mosquito to land on you, being chilly enough to use a blanket will also be helpful in establishing a barrier between you and the bug… and blowing the carbon dioxide you exhale around will make it virtually impossible for it to locate you.
Mosquitoes have 2 main ways of finding you: Body heat, and CO2.
I personally have used this method and have only had 1 bite this entire year, on my foot. My housemate was not so lucky, and got 3 on her face and 2 on her arm. It’s not full proof, but it’s something, and I deeply appreciate not having more horribly itchy bumps than necessary in life.