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The Zika Virus

The Zika Virus

 The mosquitoes that spread the Zika virus are among the hardest species to fight because they live and breed in tub drains, dog bowls, buckets, flower pots and other places inside the houses and yards of the people they bite

The mosquitoes that spread the Zika virus are among the hardest species to fight because they live and breed in tub drains, dog bowls, buckets, flower pots and other spots where water collects inside the houses and yards of the people they bite, insect experts noted Monday. Because they stick close to home, Zika-carrying mosquitoes are hard to target with larvacide and insecticide sprays. You’re not going to find them in roadside ditches or in swamps. You’re going to find them in dog food bowls or in 5-gallon buckets. It almost requires home owners and professionals to be diligent and  dump out containers.”

Hundreds of municipal mosquito control officers and insect researchers from across the U.S. attending the American Mosquito Control Association’s annual conference, in Savannah, GA..

They noted that while the Zika virus that has spread rapidly in Latin America may be new to the U.S. Aedes aegypti, the mosquito blamed for the Zika outbreak linked to birth defects in Brazil, can be found in the southern U.S. from Florida to California. Another carrier is the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, which has a more northerly range that includes cities such as Chicago and New York.

U.S. mosquito fighters have already dealt with these species to prevent outbreaks of dengue fever and chikungunya virus. Some cities and counties are already taking steps to get ready before their mosquito breeding seasons begin in earnest this spring Florida Panhandle officials are calling automotive suppliers and urging them to get rid of old tires that can turn into mosquito incubators if they collect water.

New Orleans’ mosquito control department has lined up laboratories at Louisiana State University and Tulane University that are able to screen mosquitoes caught in surveillance traps for the Zika virus.

Chief entomologist with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicated his best guess is that Zika infections transmitted within the U.S. will stay relatively small — much like dengue fever, which averaged 25 cases per year from 2010 to 2015 — though he said he can’t be sure.

Americans’ backyards tend to offer plenty of dank breeding spots, from crumpled tarps to children’s toys. And while mosquito control officers said they are prepared to spread the word for residents to clean up standing in water in their yards, it’s very tough to get homeowners to act., Source reduction by individuals usually doesn’t work because people are too  busy or to lazy clean up their own yards.

Our up and coming articles will provide you with the biology of mosquitos, preventive measures and remediation to protect you from the Zika virus during this period of Mosquito infestation in the New York/New Jersey area. Our business at Wildlife Busters is to eradicate from your house and business unwanted critters and insects. Contact Wildlifebsuters.com to sign up for our news- letters.