Month's mosquito count up 55 percent over last year in area
Mike North, Merced Sun-Star, Calif.Aug. 31--Mosquito season is in full swing in Merced County, and this month's numbers are up from last year -- a concern since West Nile virus cases are picking up in the region.
The spike in mosquito populations comes after a decrease in July that had district officials hopeful for a less pestilent year.
Last month's populations were down 28 percent compared with July last year, according to a Merced County Mosquito Abatement District manager's report. The insects are gathered with New Jersey Light Traps -- devices that attract mosquitoes with a 25-watt light bulb and draw them in with a small fan.
The district's 15 traps collected 1,114 mosquitoes in 490 nights of sampling last month. Lower mosquito populations were recorded in South Dos Palos, North Los Banos, Dos Palos, Stevinson, El Nido, Planada, Atwater, the Merced campus of Merced College and Gurr Road.
However, this month, the data show that the numbers are up by 55 percent over last year.
With West Nile cases increasing throughout California, the push to reduce mosquito numbers is imperative for health, said Allan Inman, manager of the Merced County Mosquito Abatement District.
"There are human cases in all surrounding counties except ours," he said, adding that the district is very aggressive when it comes to disease prevention.
August, September and October are the peak months for mosquitoes, and populations will get worse during that stretch, Inman said.
This month, North Los Banos, Stevinson, Planada, Hilmar, McKee Road, and the Merced and Los Banos campuses of Merced College all recorded a drop in mosquito populations, he noted. The seven other tested areas saw increases.
There are two key factors that helped generate the 55 percent increase for this month, Inman said. Lots of late rain and heavy agricultural irrigation created conditions that allow mosquitoes to flourish.
Soon, mosquitoes will start making their way toward towns from the wetlands. "The worst is yet to come," Inman said.
The district sprays for mosquitoes on an as-needed basis, but often ramps up efforts during the peak season and sometimes sprays as many as four times a week, he said. The Merced bike paths were sprayed Tuesday night.
Reporter Mike North can be reached at (209) 385-2453 or mnorth@mercedsun-star.com.
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(c)2011 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)
Visit the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) at www.mercedsunstar.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
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