By Ed Harris Editor Local health officials are asking residents to remain vigilant about mosquitoes, citing their ability to spread disease. There are over 2,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide, with 49 species calling Connecticut home. Not every species of mosquitoes bite, and when they do, it is only the females. Less than half of the mosquitoes found in state are considered pests, according to the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program. Mosquitoes pick up diseases when they feed on the blood of animals, including humans. The insects are capable of carrying a multitude of diseases, with West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) viruses among the most troublesome. Shane Lockwood, director of the Plainville and Southington Health District, said mosquitoes typically test positive for West Nile and EEE in early August through mid-September. “People need to take precautions all summer long,” Lockwood warned however. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) coordinates the mosquito trapping and testing program in the state. There are 91 testing stations in the state, including one in Southington. The testing stations are often located next to marshes and use dry ice to entice mosquitoes. Mosquitoes caught in the traps are collected and tested every two weeks. Officials are [...]
By Ed Harris Editor Local health officials are asking residents to remain vigilant about mosquitoes, citing their ability to spread disease. There are over 2,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide, with 49 species calling Connecticut home. Not every species of mosquitoes bite, and when they do, it is only the females. Less than half of the mosquitoes found in state are considered pests, according to the Connecticut Mosquito Management Program. Mosquitoes pick up diseases when they feed on the blood of animals, including humans. The insects are capable of carrying a multitude of diseases, with West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) viruses among the most troublesome. Shane Lockwood, director of the Plainville and Southington Health District, said mosquitoes typically test positive for West Nile and EEE in early August through mid-September. “People need to take precautions all summer long,” Lockwood warned however. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) coordinates the mosquito trapping and testing program in the state. There are 91 testing stations in the state, including one in Southington. The testing stations are often located next to marshes and use dry ice to entice mosquitoes. Mosquitoes caught in the traps are collected and tested every two weeks. Officials are [...]