It’s Mosquito Season

Jolie Coates, Mosquito and Tick Program Coordnator, BCCD
Mosquito season here in northern Pennsylvania is now halfway over! That is the good news. The bad news? Those annoying little bugs will get worse before they get better. The beginning of mosquito season, which typically begins here in Bradford County in May, was quiet. The weather was dry, which left mosquitoes few places to lay their eggs and breed. As the weather changes, however, standing water can become more prevalent.  Heavy rains as well as high temperatures will not only bring standing water for mosquitoes to lay eggs but will also speed up the egg and larval stages which then lead to even more adult mosquitoes.

---

The Bradford County Conservation District’s mosquito coverage area includes both Bradford and Tioga County. West Nile Virus (WNV) has yet to be collected in Bradford County this year, however, our team has collected a positive WNV sample in neighboring Tioga County in May. This collection has been investigated, and we have been working closely with the local municipality to help reduce mosquito breeding areas as well as to reduce the risk of human infection. As of July 17th, there have been 97 West Nile samples collected throughout the Commonwealth. To see an updated map of West Nile cases across Pennsylvania, visit the DEP Vector Management website.

Once a West Nile sample has been collected, our team will set extra mosquito traps in the area; those extra traps will help our team to decipher how many infected mosquitoes are in present.  Our team will survey the area to see if there is a site that the mosquitoes are breeding; if we find this, that habitat will either be removed or treated. Habitat removal is the first step in our Integrated Pest Management Plan. Education and working with landowners is also a crucial step; if someone knows where mosquitoes are coming from, they are more likely to remove the breeding habitat.

With the rest of the summer yet to go, we will be more likely to receive heavy rain events and warm temperatures. Mosquito populations will become more abundant as the season continues. To help ensure that you and your family stay safe and healthy, make sure to wear buy spray with at least 15% DEET, Picardan, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. If there are an overabundance of mosquitoes in the yard wreaking havoc, chances are these mosquitoes are coming from the yard. Remember, if something CAN hold water, it WILL hold water, and it WILL breed mosquitoes. Reducing mosquito breeding habitat is the best way to remove mosquitoes from your property. If you or your neighbors are experiencing high amounts of mosquitoes in your neighborhood, you can always contact the BCCD mosquito team.

The Bradford County Conservation District is committed to helping people manage resources wisely.  You can visit the Bradford County Conservation District at 200 Lake Rd in Wysox across from the Wysox Fire Hall. Contact us at (570) 485-3144 or visit our web page at www.bccdpa.com.