Virginia Beach, Va. - The Virginia Beach Public Works Mosquito Control Biology Lab has found an increase in mosquitoes that carry the West Nile Virus.
Labs have detected seven mosquito samples that are positive in one week, the amount that is normal for an entire season.
“While summer may be over in the minds of many people,” said Jennifer Pierce with the Mosquito Control Biology lab, “we are coming up to the height of mosquito season."
Mosquito control crews have increased spraying at night, when mosquitoes with West Nile Virus are the most active.
If you plan to go outside for long lengths of time, be sure to wear long, loose and light-colored clothes.
When using bug spray, make sure to follow instructions on the label.
Lab reports say that crews are increasing spraying in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach.
The City of Virginia Beach Department of Public Works recommends the following ways to help eliminate mosquito breeding areas:
- Turn over or remove containers in your yard where rainwater collects, such as potted plant trays, buckets, or toys.
- Empty bird baths once a week.
- Remove old tires from your yard.
- Clean roof gutters and downspout screens.
- Eliminate standing water on flat roofs, boats, and tarps.
- Clear obstructions in ditches so they flow and drain. Fill in puddles with soil, or a mixture of sand and gravel, or dig drainage ditches to drain puddles.
- If puddles or ditches cannot be drained or filled in, treat standing water with mosquito larvicides (dunks or granules) that can be purchased at any hardware store.
Less than one percent of humans with West Nile Virus become severely ill.
The increased mosquito activity will continue for about another six to eight weeks.
