Beware of mosquitoes in wake of Barry

Monday, June 4, 2007

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A water sample is taken to check for mosquito larvae.

Tropical Storm Barry brought rain that helped alleviate the dry conditions in the Bay area, but now there's standing water left behind, which serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Therefore, Pinellas County Mosquito Control workers are taking water samples to check for mosquito larvae. They are spraying areas where they find the larvae, in hopes of killing them before they become mosquitoes.

"It's always hard to predict what's going to happen with weather and rain patterns, so it's starting to get into that season, so we're hitting everything as hard as we can right now," said Pinellas County Mosquito Control director Nancy Iannotti.

Mosquito control workers usually use helicopters to spray as well, but Iannotti says it will be too windy during the next few days for that to be as effective. They are asking homeowners to treat areas of standing water and to either wear mosquito repellent or long-sleeve clothing when outside.

The busy season for mosquitoes to hatch is usually June through October, because of the significant rainfall. So far this year, mosquito control workers say there have been no signs of West Nile Virus or encephalitis in local chickens tested.