by Richard "Bugman" Fagerlund
Daily Lobo Columnist
West Nile Virus is in the news again so it is time to get prepared for our mosquito season. The virus poses a risk to the aged, the very young and to those with immune system problems. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that less than 1 percent of those bitten by a virus-carrying mosquito will become severely ill; others, perhaps 20 percent, may develop only flu-like symptoms, which actually may lead to a natural immunity to the virus.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing, not necessarily stagnant, water. As soon as the chlorine or chloramine evaporates from tap water, and with the addition of a little protein, mosquito development may occur. The life cycle from egg to adult mosquito can take 10 to 40 days depending on the species.
West Nile Virus can be carried by many species of mosquito, so there is no "safe" time to be outdoors when they are present. They are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale. The mosquitoes contract the virus from birds, then transmit it to humans.
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When you are outside, wear light colored shirts with long sleeves. Carefully inspect screens and make sure they are in good repair. Use netting for sleeping, camping and to protect infants.
In ornamental ponds get mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis, from your mosquito/vector control department, health department or ask at a pet shop. Goldfish are not dependable for mosquito control because they are primarily bottom feeders. Mosquito fish feed at the surface where the mosquito larvae develop.
If the pond has a waterfall or fountain that circulates vigorously, it may not allow mosquito development, but should still be monitored. If it is a calm pond and has no mosquito fish in it, apply one to two tablespoons of cooking oil per square yard of water surface and check it weekly. You can also use Bacillus thuringiensis, which is widely available in stores.
Check culverts, drainage ditches, tire tracks, flat roofs and rain gutters. Check seldom used toilets in barns, workshops and RVs. Old tires are a major source - drain or fill with soil. Drill 1/2" holes in tire swings for drainage.
On campus we have mosquito fish in the duck pond and in the fountains as well as Bt, which is also an effective mosquito control product that will not adversely affect other organisms.
In addition, we are working with the City of Albuquerque and the Environmental Health Department to monitor mosquitoes on campus. Mosquitoes that are captured are tested for West Nile Virus. As of this publication date, we have not had any mosquitoes test positive for the virus on our campus.
Also use a mosquito repellent, but preferably one that is natural. Most commercial mosquito repellents contain DEET. DEET is an artificially synthesized chemical developed in 1946 by the U.S. Army to repel insects.
Although the EPA considers DEET to be safe for humans when used according to label directions, it can cause problems. Some adults and children who absorbed high amounts of DEET through insect repellents have developed temporary seizures, reduced heart pulse rate and slurred speech. Use of repellents with high concentrations of DEET can lead to accumulations of DEET on the skin, which is absorbed and can lead to the medical complications listed above. Any DEET-based insect repellent should be washed off the body with soap after use. DEET remains on clothing for up to two weeks after use and may still be absorbed into the skin from the clothing. DEET contains a form of toluene that is a flammable organic solvent, and DEET dissolves or damages many synthetic plastics and fabrics, including plastic watches and synthetic clothing materials.
The following are EPA guidelines for applying DEET products to your skin as a mosquito repellent. Just reading them would make me prefer the mosquitoes.
Do not apply to hands or near eyes and mouth of young children.
Do not allow young children to apply this product.
Do not use under clothing.
Avoid over-application of this product.
After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
Do not spray in enclosed areas.
To apply to face, spray on hands first and then rub on face. Do not spray directly onto face.
Catnip mosquito repellents, however, are every bit as effective as DEET products and much safer to use. Catnip mosquito repellent is available online from www.insectrepel.com. It is also effective against other biting insects such as biting midges, another popular pest in our area, but not on campus.
