The start of this month is also the start of an unpopular and dangerous season in Virginia. May 1 marks the start of the tiny blood-suckers season that would interrupt the hikes, evening walks, and cookouts by residents of Virginia.
In an article published in Daily Press, the past few weeks observed the preparation of mosquito abatement teams in Hampton Roads. Last Friday, York Country mosquito control biologist Elizabeth Hodson of Virginia and a mosquito abatement team went to several areas in the York County and dumps standing water and placing some mosquito bricks that could last for 30 days.
"Mosquitoes only need a capful of water to breed," Hodson said. She said that the capful of water would help the mosquitoes to be fed and bred and they could be somewhere close to the residents of Virgina.
This time, residents of Virgina are going to be extra careful since it's not just dengue that they should worry. Ever since the 2016 outbreak of the Zika virus in other parts of the world, many residents became vigilant on checking for standing water in their yards and property that could be the spot of the mosquitoes having the virus.
"People think they have their gutters clean, but they breed thousands and thousands of mosquitoes," Hodson said. She also added that people in Virginia usually ignore water collected in umbrella stands, rain barrels, and water in or near basketball hoops. In addition, trash littered along roads and highways also provides places for mosquitoes to breed, South Side Daily has reported.
For this season, the Virgina Department of Health has given some tips in fighting the mosquitoes. One, inspect residential and commercial establishments to search and dump standing water. Another one is to spray fog bug sprays into the foliage of shrubs, hedges, ivy and other vegetation or structures where mosquitoes sit. Another tip is to spray residual insecticide barriers on plants where mosquitoes are abundant. Lastly, have screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from coming in.
