August 17, 2006

• Trap counts are still declining as dry conditions prevail in the city; the only significant mosquito populations are container breeding tiger mosquitoes.
• Despite the declining trap counts and dry conditions the mosquito activity remains a 2 because of the presence of EEE in mosquitoes. Citizens should keep vigilant emptying out standing water around their houses and use insect repellant that contains DEET or Picaridin to prevent mosquito bites.

• 10 CDC style light traps were set this week, a total of 184 mosquitoes were caught, for an average of 19 per trap. Trap counts were down almost 50% from last week. This is the lowest trap counts have been since week 18.
• 7 Gravid style traps were set this week, a total of 202 mosquitoes were caught, for an average of 29 per trap. Gravid trap counts were down 57% from last week.
• Staff will continue to submit mosquito pools for testing as needed for the remainder of the season.

• We received 3 complaint call this week.

• Many people keep birdbaths in their yards but few take the time to properly maintain them.
• Birdbaths are a great place for mosquitoes to breed and are contributors to our mosquito problems in the city. One forgotten birdbath, such as the one pictured, can fill your yard and your neighbors yard with mosquitoes, making anytime spent outdoors miserable.
• To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your birdbath citizens must remember a few simple rules.
• A green or black birdbath needs to be cleaned; scrub a birdbath at least once a month with a 10% bleach solution. This will keep it clean, as well as remove any mosquito eggs that may have been laid in the birdbath. Allow the birdbath to totally dry at least once a week. This insures that any mosquito larvae will not survive.
• Remember that vegetable oil, dish soap, or pennies in birdbath will not prevent mosquitoes breeding in the birdbath.