Mosquito numbers rise making West Nile Virus more likely!
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Manuel Robules sees mosquitoes while fishing at the river and flying around his house at night. He sprays, but it doesn't work.
They just keep biting him and biting his family. They won't go away and he's scared.
"A mosquito gave me an infection ... I had to go to the hospital for two days. That's why I'm scared of mosquitoes"
Manuel has a right to be scared.
In 2009, Washington state recorded almost 500-cases of West Nile Virus in people, animals, birds and insects.
That included 38 infections in people, 9 right here in our area.
Since then, fewer people have been infected, but Angela from Benton County Mosquito Control thinks the past may repeat itself.
"What it looks like now, is a 2009 season." she says.
The first case this year was found in Franklin County.
A plane was sent up that very night to spray for mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes that come with flooding tend to be aggressive, but don't usually carry West Nile. But it's still important to protect your family.
If you have standing water and a mosquito problem that won't go away, a mosquito fish could be the answer!
Mosquito Control says you can help cut back on the pests by dumping out empty cans and getting rid of old tires..anything that's a haven for standing water.
Make sure pumps are working in backyard ponds.
And if you do have standing water in your crops or fields, give your county mosquito control a call.
They'll check it out and treat it if necessary.
Prevention is the best weapon against West Nile.
They just keep biting him and biting his family. They won't go away and he's scared.
"A mosquito gave me an infection ... I had to go to the hospital for two days. That's why I'm scared of mosquitoes"
Manuel has a right to be scared.
In 2009, Washington state recorded almost 500-cases of West Nile Virus in people, animals, birds and insects.
That included 38 infections in people, 9 right here in our area.
Since then, fewer people have been infected, but Angela from Benton County Mosquito Control thinks the past may repeat itself.
"What it looks like now, is a 2009 season." she says.
The first case this year was found in Franklin County.
A plane was sent up that very night to spray for mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes that come with flooding tend to be aggressive, but don't usually carry West Nile. But it's still important to protect your family.
If you have standing water and a mosquito problem that won't go away, a mosquito fish could be the answer!
Mosquito Control says you can help cut back on the pests by dumping out empty cans and getting rid of old tires..anything that's a haven for standing water.
Make sure pumps are working in backyard ponds.
And if you do have standing water in your crops or fields, give your county mosquito control a call.
They'll check it out and treat it if necessary.
Prevention is the best weapon against West Nile.
