Warmer Weather is Good for Mosquitoes

You've heard the news reports - "Another case of West Nile Virus has been found" - "Lyme disease is spreading throughout the region" - "Rocky Mountain spotted fever is on the rise again," etc. It seems that in the war of us versus insect-borne diseases, we just might be losing the battle.

Warmer winters have fueled outbreaks of many insect and arthropod pests, such as ticks, mosquitoes, chiggers, mites, lice, and others. Richard Ostfeld of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York co-authored an article in Science magazine that supports this notion. "Changes in climate are beginning to have interesting and potentially dramatic effects on the way infectious diseases affect wildlife," Ostfeld recently reported on National Public Radio. "In temperate climates, for example, cold winters are a natural way to kill off a lot of diseases carried by insects or ticks. But warmer winters mean more will survive; and the heat also puts extra stress on plants and animals, and makes it harder for them to fight off disease."

Of all insects, few are more irritating (and potentially harmful) to homeowners than mosquitoes. There are over 2,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide and about 165 active in the United States. A coordinated effort between homeowners and local officials is usually the best way to combat mosquito populations. Homeowners can do their part to help reduce harmful insect populations in their areas. The Handbook of Household and Structural Insect Pests, published by the Entomological Society of America, offers these suggestions for reducing mosquito populations:

• Mosquito management must be done on an area-wide basis.
• Eliminate mosquito breeding sites such as containers of standing water and areas that are prone to occasional flooding.
• Discourage birds and other wild animals from your property.
• Screen and seal your property.
• Use sodium vapor lamps and yellow "bug lights" for exterior lighting.

For more tips on managing mosquitoes, and other household pests, consult the Handbook of Household and Structural Insect Pests.

Information courtesy of the Entomological Society of America.