LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) has declared June 18th through 24th as “National Mosquito Control Awareness Week.” In an effort to encourage Michiganders to take precautions to protect themselves and their animals from mosquitoes, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is offering guidance for safe insect repellent and insecticide use.
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Mike Philip, MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director says, “Mosquitoes may seem like a small nuisance, but they can spread deadly diseases, like West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis, to both people and animals through their bites. Michiganders can help limit the risk of disease outbreaks by developing a mosquito prevention strategy to reduce pest populations.”
MDARD says that one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent mosquitoes is removing any standing water on your property. Mosquitoes lay eggs in water, so eliminating standing water removes mosquitoes’ ability to breed. Mosquito larvae live in water until they grow into flying adults, making preventative and early action essential.
To remove standing water, MDARD recommends clearing clogged gutters; dumping water from potted plant saucers; changing water in animals’ bowls, buckets, or troughs at least once a day; drilling holes in containers to eliminate standing water; cleaning and scrubbing bird baths weekly and emptying standing water from wheelbarrows, buckets, children’s toys, or anywhere else water can accumulate.
Once mosquitoes arrive, insect repellents applied to the skin or clothing are one of the most popular and effective products used to avoid insect bites. Other commonly used repellents include torches, table-top diffusers, candles, and coils. Insect repellants are also available for animals. MDARD says to read labels closely to determine which species the repellant has been approved for.
Animals can also be protected against mosquito-borne diseases by placing livestock in a barn under fans (as mosquitoes are not strong flyers) and keeping pets inside the home during peak mosquito activity from dusk to dawn as well as vaccinating horses against mosquito-borne diseases.
A safe alternative to applying insecticides yourself is hiring a mosquito control business. Mosquito control businesses are required to be licensed to apply pesticides in Michigan and must meet certain experience requirements, employ certified pesticide applicators who have passed MDARD proficiency examinations, and meet financial requirements including proof of insurance. Use MDARD’s list of licensed pesticide applicator businesses in Michigan to find qualified mosquito abatement applicators.
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MDARD’s advice on getting rid of mosquitos comes at a time when the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) has released an alert that the first mosquito-borne virus of 2023 was detected in Saginaw County. Mosquitos recently collected in Saginaw County have tested positive for Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories (MDHHS BOL). These are the first infected mosquitos detected for any virus for 2023. JCV sickened six Michiganders in 2021 and one in 2022. Also reported last year were 12 cases of WNV.
The JCV virus is spread to people through bites from infected mosquitos. Most cases occur from late spring through mid-fall. Illness can develop within a few days to two weeks following a bite from an infected mosquito. While most people do not become ill, initial symptoms can include fever, headache and fatigue. In rare cases, it can cause severe disease in the brain and/or spinal cord including encephalitis and meningitis.
JCV can be spread by mosquitos that become infected when they feed on deer or other animals that have the virus in their blood. Infected mosquitos spread the virus to other animals or people through bites.
