Rain, puddles, warm weather … and mosquitoes.
The West Nile season is just around the corner.
“Once the puddles start warming up, they’re perfect for the mosquitoes to start breeding in,” said John Pape, an epidemiologist with the state Department of Public Health and Environment.
Small precautions taken now can make a difference.
“After these rains, it’s a good time to walk around your yard and make sure you’re not a mosquito breeder,” Pape said. “Look for standing water in roof gutters or any containers. A small tin can filled with water under a bush can breed thousands of mosquitoes in a summer.”
Dr. Richard Vogt, executive director of the Tri-County Health Department (for Adams, Arapahoe and Doug las counties), said the mosquito breeding season peaks from early August into September.
The number of confirmed cases of humans contracting the West Nile virus has been reduced dramatically over recent years, thanks in part to precautions that are easy to take.
In 2003, Colorado had 2,947 confirmed cases of humans being infected, with 63 deaths. There have been only two confirmed cases this year, in Logan and Weld counties, but it’s very early in the season, Vogt said.
Pape said the mosquitoes remain inactive during the heat of midday, emerging in the cooler hours of dawn and dusk. He urged residents to use repellant containing DEET, to cover up bare skin and to avoid going out, if possible, in the early mornings and late evenings.
Screens over windows and doors should be checked and repaired, and water in bird baths, plastic swimming pools and ornamental ponds should be changed at least weekly, he said.
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