How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

As overnight temperatures rise, Culex mosquitoes begin to hatch. They can carry the West Nile virus, which infected more than 420 people in California last year, killing 19 of them.

Another kind of mosquito is being tested for dengue virus after two people in Los Angeles County contracted the virus last fall, the first locally acquired cases in California. Both people survived.

There’s no local dengue now, but experts say the virus is likely to crop up again and the pesticides used to kill mosquitoes that can spread it have lost some of their bite.

That’s because overuse of over-the counter herbicides can cause the insects to become resistant to the chemicals, said Tristan Hallam, director of scientific programs with the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Some weed killers contain active ingredients similar to pest control sprays, he said.

“Because it’s being used in two separate scenarios on a consistent basis, there are more opportunities for these adult mosquitoes to have that resistance build up within these populations,” Hallam said.

How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

Hallum tests local mosquitoes and rotates which pesticides vector control uses when too many show resistance.

The best defense is to prevent mosquito bites, and keep the insects from getting in your home or breeding nearby.

Continue reading the article written by Jackie Fortiér here.

LA ist: How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

As overnight temperatures rise, Culex mosquitoes begin to hatch. They can carry the West Nile virus, which infected more than 420 people in California last year, killing 19 of them.

Another kind of mosquito is being tested for dengue virus after two people in Los Angeles County contracted the virus last fall, the first locally acquired cases in California. Both people survived.

There’s no local dengue now, but experts say the virus is likely to crop up again and the pesticides used to kill mosquitoes that can spread it have lost some of their bite.

That’s because overuse of over-the counter herbicides can cause the insects to become resistant to the chemicals, said Tristan Hallam, director of scientific programs with the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Some weed killers contain active ingredients similar to pest control sprays, he said.

“Because it’s being used in two separate scenarios on a consistent basis, there are more opportunities for these adult mosquitoes to have that resistance build up within these populations,” Hallam said.

How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

Hallum tests local mosquitoes and rotates which pesticides vector control uses when too many show resistance.

The best defense is to prevent mosquito bites, and keep the insects from getting in your home or breeding nearby.

Continue reading the article written by Jackie Fortiér here.

照片缩略图 博客作者
高级健康记者
杰基-福蒂埃
我负责报道南加州的健康和洛杉矶地区的医疗保健行业。
媒体报道

LA ist: How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

As overnight temperatures rise, Culex mosquitoes begin to hatch. They can carry the West Nile virus, which infected more than 420 people in California last year, killing 19 of them.

Another kind of mosquito is being tested for dengue virus after two people in Los Angeles County contracted the virus last fall, the first locally acquired cases in California. Both people survived.

There’s no local dengue now, but experts say the virus is likely to crop up again and the pesticides used to kill mosquitoes that can spread it have lost some of their bite.

That’s because overuse of over-the counter herbicides can cause the insects to become resistant to the chemicals, said Tristan Hallam, director of scientific programs with the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Some weed killers contain active ingredients similar to pest control sprays, he said.

“Because it’s being used in two separate scenarios on a consistent basis, there are more opportunities for these adult mosquitoes to have that resistance build up within these populations,” Hallam said.

How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

Hallum tests local mosquitoes and rotates which pesticides vector control uses when too many show resistance.

The best defense is to prevent mosquito bites, and keep the insects from getting in your home or breeding nearby.

Continue reading the article written by Jackie Fortiér here.

照片缩略图 博客作者
高级健康记者
杰基-福蒂埃
我负责报道南加州的健康和洛杉矶地区的医疗保健行业。
媒体报道
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