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Sunday
March 21, 2010 Since 1922 |
Out for blood
By Tara Sullivan
The Baytown Sun Published September 1, 2008 While Hurricane Dolly and Tropical Storm Edouard brought with them much-needed rains, there is a dark side to the welcomed moisture: mosquitoes.
The Baytown Health Department has noted a sharp rise in local mosquito populations after the duo made their appearance. Prior to Dolly and Edouard, dryer-than-usual conditions prevented these winged pests from hatching. The forthcoming moisture has stirred up area mosquito populations, boosting their hatch rate during the last few weeks.
But while Baytonians might feel like the mosquitoes are out in droves, Director of the Baytown Health Department, Mike Lester, said what we’re really seeing is a return to “normal.”
“For the last couple of years we’ve been really fortunate that the weather has been good to us,” he said. “Even though people might think it’s bad right now, the pest rate is between five and 20 landings per minute, which is average for this time of year.”
Lester explained that there are generally three peak “hatch-outs” during the 11-month Gulf Coast mosquito season: May, August and November. During those months, mosquitoes hatch and mature, infesting Baytonian air for a few weeks before they give way to the next generation of larvae.
Although residents might have been taken aback by the recent mosquito invasion, the Health Department has been out diligently doing their part to tackle the nuisance.
“We knew this was coming and we’re on it,” Lester said.
Manning the City’s state-of-the-art spray trucks, Health Department employees have been out dousing the city in larvicide (for larvae and pupa) and adulticide (for mature mosquitoes). Breaking Baytown into six zones, the trucks hit the streets between dusk and dawn, targeting mosquito-breeding havens like standing water.
“We have been well ahead of the curve,” Lester said. “We’ve even had calls from people thanking us because they’re seen the trucks out.”
Within the last week, the spray trucks have misted up to five zones each night. Lester said the eco-friendly spray is not harmful to humans and pets, as it delivers only mosquito-sized doses of toxins. Still, it is city protocol that misting halts if residents are outdoors when the spray trucks are making rounds. Weekly spray schedules vary depending on weather conditions, but if a white Health Department truck toting green spray machine is spotted, officials ask residents to remain indoors. Once the truck has finished misting the immediate area, residents may return to their usual outdoor activities.
Subhead: Gustav, Hannah to bring more mosquitoes
While the current outbreak of mosquito hatchlings is under control, Baytown is not out of the water yet. Lester warns that Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hannah might usher in the next mosquito larvae hatch-fest, as rain fans out across the Gulf Coast. The incoming moisture levels will affect even areas outside the direct impact zone.
Because of Gustav’s uncertain path, Health Department workers have even put next week’s spray schedule on hold.
“We are only allowed a certain amount of sprays,” said Lester. “We don’t want to get the whole city then have a big rain come through and wash it all away, wasting those chemicals.”
Lester said there are still things residents can do to help.
First and foremost is the elimination of standing water.
Potted plant bottoms, gutters, garbage and rain gauges are all favorite egg-laying sites for mosquitoes. A simple hosing down, emptying or turning over of these items can keep Baytown from becoming a mosquito nursery.
“There are some places people might not even think to look,” said Lester. “I encourage everyone to take a walk around the garage. Even I am guilty of this one. Once, I walked out behind the garage and found an old bicycle lying there. The depression in the seat held about a cup of water and mosquito larvae.”
Those with backyard ponds can stock the pond with fish, which will actually eat mosquito larvae. Those with fishless ponds can purchase special oil from their local pond supplier. This substance will form a thin layer over the water’s surface, suffocating larvae hatchlings.
In order to combat mosquito bites, Lester recommends wearing light-colored clothes and keeping covered up. Mosquitoes sense contrasting colors, so dark clothes in the daylight will attract mosquitoes just as well as a porch light in the evening.
Just seven to 12 days following a sizable rain, mosquito larvae begin to take flight. It is during that time that Health Department officials recommend applying mosquito repellent that contains NN-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). A concentration of 7.5-percent DEET is recommended for general outdoor protection, though it is recommended that children be protected by a repellent with a concentration of 15-percent or higher.
This season, there have been no reported increases in mosquito-transmitted West Nile Virus transmission in Harris County and Baytown remains West Nile report free.
For more information on Mosquito control, visit www.baytown.org/public/mosquitocontrol/.
The Baytown Sun Published September 1, 2008 While Hurricane Dolly and Tropical Storm Edouard brought with them much-needed rains, there is a dark side to the welcomed moisture: mosquitoes.
The Baytown Health Department has noted a sharp rise in local mosquito populations after the duo made their appearance. Prior to Dolly and Edouard, dryer-than-usual conditions prevented these winged pests from hatching. The forthcoming moisture has stirred up area mosquito populations, boosting their hatch rate during the last few weeks.
But while Baytonians might feel like the mosquitoes are out in droves, Director of the Baytown Health Department, Mike Lester, said what we’re really seeing is a return to “normal.”
“For the last couple of years we’ve been really fortunate that the weather has been good to us,” he said. “Even though people might think it’s bad right now, the pest rate is between five and 20 landings per minute, which is average for this time of year.”
Lester explained that there are generally three peak “hatch-outs” during the 11-month Gulf Coast mosquito season: May, August and November. During those months, mosquitoes hatch and mature, infesting Baytonian air for a few weeks before they give way to the next generation of larvae.
Although residents might have been taken aback by the recent mosquito invasion, the Health Department has been out diligently doing their part to tackle the nuisance.
“We knew this was coming and we’re on it,” Lester said.
Manning the City’s state-of-the-art spray trucks, Health Department employees have been out dousing the city in larvicide (for larvae and pupa) and adulticide (for mature mosquitoes). Breaking Baytown into six zones, the trucks hit the streets between dusk and dawn, targeting mosquito-breeding havens like standing water.
“We have been well ahead of the curve,” Lester said. “We’ve even had calls from people thanking us because they’re seen the trucks out.”
Within the last week, the spray trucks have misted up to five zones each night. Lester said the eco-friendly spray is not harmful to humans and pets, as it delivers only mosquito-sized doses of toxins. Still, it is city protocol that misting halts if residents are outdoors when the spray trucks are making rounds. Weekly spray schedules vary depending on weather conditions, but if a white Health Department truck toting green spray machine is spotted, officials ask residents to remain indoors. Once the truck has finished misting the immediate area, residents may return to their usual outdoor activities.
Subhead: Gustav, Hannah to bring more mosquitoes
While the current outbreak of mosquito hatchlings is under control, Baytown is not out of the water yet. Lester warns that Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hannah might usher in the next mosquito larvae hatch-fest, as rain fans out across the Gulf Coast. The incoming moisture levels will affect even areas outside the direct impact zone.
Because of Gustav’s uncertain path, Health Department workers have even put next week’s spray schedule on hold.
“We are only allowed a certain amount of sprays,” said Lester. “We don’t want to get the whole city then have a big rain come through and wash it all away, wasting those chemicals.”
Lester said there are still things residents can do to help.
First and foremost is the elimination of standing water.
Potted plant bottoms, gutters, garbage and rain gauges are all favorite egg-laying sites for mosquitoes. A simple hosing down, emptying or turning over of these items can keep Baytown from becoming a mosquito nursery.
“There are some places people might not even think to look,” said Lester. “I encourage everyone to take a walk around the garage. Even I am guilty of this one. Once, I walked out behind the garage and found an old bicycle lying there. The depression in the seat held about a cup of water and mosquito larvae.”
Those with backyard ponds can stock the pond with fish, which will actually eat mosquito larvae. Those with fishless ponds can purchase special oil from their local pond supplier. This substance will form a thin layer over the water’s surface, suffocating larvae hatchlings.
In order to combat mosquito bites, Lester recommends wearing light-colored clothes and keeping covered up. Mosquitoes sense contrasting colors, so dark clothes in the daylight will attract mosquitoes just as well as a porch light in the evening.
Just seven to 12 days following a sizable rain, mosquito larvae begin to take flight. It is during that time that Health Department officials recommend applying mosquito repellent that contains NN-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). A concentration of 7.5-percent DEET is recommended for general outdoor protection, though it is recommended that children be protected by a repellent with a concentration of 15-percent or higher.
This season, there have been no reported increases in mosquito-transmitted West Nile Virus transmission in Harris County and Baytown remains West Nile report free.
For more information on Mosquito control, visit www.baytown.org/public/mosquitocontrol/.