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Mosquito Effect: Bug Spray Sales Soar

Cool Weather May Relieve The Itch, But 2015 Could Bring More Of The Same

The hot weather was back last week, but you might have seen a lot of people still going out wearing sweaters and pants. Everyone might be getting some relief as the cold weather moves in. Hopefully the colder air will stick around long enough to let those red itchy bumps heal up before the next wave of blood suckers move in.

This has been one of the worst mosquito seasons in the area, for many the worst in recent memory. To put it in perspective, consider how people were stocking up on bug spray in the last weeks. Markle's Ace Hardware store sold 214 Bugg Spray bottles last year, this year they sold 471 bottles. Off Deep Woods brand sold 155 cans last year, this year 221 cans have made their way out the door and into the hands of Valley County residents. D&G couldn't give an exact number of cases sold compared to the previous year, but they said that they've probably sold at least twice as much.

The swarms of mosquitoes were found in cars, in homes and just about any direction you could look this year. The late floods and rain that came in late August, followed by the warmer temperatures left the perfect conditions to grow the insect. Valley County Mosquito and Weed Supervisor Stone Tihista explained that they've been short staffed but they've done their best to keep fogging.

She said that they've been fogging three days a week if the staff has been available and the conditions have been right. They start fogging before dusk and she explained that many of the mosquitoes irritating the public are flood plain mosquitoes. They are a little bit bigger in size and a lot more aggressive.

“This is a problem across the state, across the plains and it's not just next to the river, it's everywhere,” Tihista said.

She said colder weather and shorter days will help slow them down, but a consecutive frost will probably push them to come out more during the day. She said there really isn't a magic number in temperature to get rid of the pest, but they'll continue fogging until the mosquito season is over.

Tihista explained that they are hoping to get ahead of the season next year by pretreating some of the water in the area but the next year will probably be another bad year with the amount of mosquitoes that were able to produce this year.

“This is just an abnormal year and the next year will probably be bad too,” Tihista said. “There's still lots of standing water around so next year will feel like a long year.”

Tihista added that fogging only helps catch adult mosquitoes that are in the air. She added that mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide. So sitting in vehicles that are running might draw them to you, as well as your natural body heat. She added that the public should continue to wear long sleeves and loose pants, as well as wear bug repellent containing deet. Keeping anti-itch cream on hand might also be necessary until the colder weather moves in and stays for the season. It is also the season for the mosquito that does carry the West Nile Virus, so taking extra precautions can be essential.

Coming into the next season several residents can do a lot to minimize a habitat for mosquitoes to produce. Spending time looking around your property and finding anything that could hold standing water and eliminating it can help. Keeping your grass short and weeds down to a minimum can also decrease the population. Things you might not think about are your gutters, old tires laying around or small buckets and containers.

“Gardens and potted plants will also attract mosquitoes,” Tihista said. “The watering of plants creates a habitat and attracts them.”

Being proactive now before the spring season might help the predicted tough mosquito season be reduced. Tihista said that the weed and mosquito department are usually wrapping things up in mid-September, but this year they might go into October. She said she's hoping the cold weather moves in so the can reserve some of their resources for the following year.

Precautions for your animals might make a difference as well. Dr. Russell Smith from the Glasgow Vet Clinic explained that there are spray and ointments available to help keep mosquitoes off your pets and livestock. He explained that sprays for smaller animals and horses have been popular this year. Other oral products and pour on products have sold to keep flies and pests away from animals. Keeping your pets in might help with unnecessary irritation this year.

 

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