Three adult yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) and 14 larvae have been trapped in Menlo Park since late August, according to the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District.
As of Oct. 11, inspectors had examined 1,101 homes and collected 246 samples of larvae, district representatives told the Almanac. Yellow fever mosquito eggs were found at four locations, in addition to the first egg found on Aug. 23 at the Holy Cross cemetery off Santa Cruz Avenue.
Aedes aegypti is a 1/4-inch black and white mosquito, more commonly found in the southeastern United States than in California. It typically bites during the day and can potentially transmit several viruses, including yellow fever, although the risk of transmission is “extremely low,” according to the county.
Officials urge residents to eliminate all standing water from their yards and homes, and to reduce the chance of being bitten by:
● Applying insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535.
● Checking that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens, and eliminating any holes.
● Reporting neglected swimming pools to the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control at 344-8592 or the Santa Clara Vector Control District at (408) 918-4770.
● Wearing long sleeve shirts and long pants when possible.
● Placing mosquito netting over infant carriers, cribs and strollers.
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I reccommend getting a couple of cheap racketball rackets, for use, as swatters. All a swatter need do is nick a skeeter, with the strings, and the wounds will prove fatal, to Ms.Bug.
BTW, the females are the biters, which need a blood meal, to reproduce, so don’t let ’em get your juice.
I carry a tennis racket, a lot of the time, so if I think little buzzards are out and about, it’s time for some racket head-speed drills.
So exactly where did these mosquitoes come from, if not Egypt, and how did they get here?