THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 25, 1996 TAG: 9605270205
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBRA GORDON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 104 lines
Bzzzzzzz. Slap. Scratch.
Ahhh, the sounds of summer, courtesy of that seasonal scourge - the mosquito.
This year, thanks to a particularly wet spring, the pesky buggers have made an early appearance.
Mosquitoes have been breeding this spring in low-lying wooded areas, resulting in ``weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth'' from folks who live near them, says Joe Kertesz, mid-Atlantic regional director for the American Mosquito Control Association.
As for the rest of the summer. . .
``Depends on the weather,'' says Kertesz, a bug scientist who also works for the Hampton mosquito control commission.
If it's dry, like last summer, this will be a mild mosquito season. Bring on the rains and watch for burgeoning bug bites. Don't expect the winter's frigid cold to have quelled their growth. Mosquitoes are hardy little pests, and they (and their eggs) overwintered just fine.
More than 35 varieties of mosquitoes call Hampton Roads home, but it is the Asian tiger mosquito that poses the biggest challenge.
That mosquito, which was accidentally transported to Texas through overseas cargo shipments in the 1980s, arrived in Hampton Roads about four years ago.
It is more aggressive than native species, said University of South Carolina entomologist Dwight Williams, and is a day-biting variety, feeding from dawn to dusk. Most other species feed only during the three to four hours around dusk.
Eradicating Asian tiger mosquitoes is difficult, Kertesz said, because they hide under leaves and grass, which protects them from poisonous sprays. They breed in just a thimbleful of water.
``There are areas in the community where people haven't been able to go out and use their patios and decks for the last couple of summers,'' he said.
The good news is that although mosquitoes have long been known as a transmitter for infectious diseases like encephalitis and malaria, around here they're mainly a nuisance, said an assistant epidemiologist with the Virginia Department of Health, Suzanne Jenkins.
So how do you avoid those buzzing nuisances?
The best way is to drain any standing water around your house, Kertesz said. This method is so effective in reducing mosquito populations that the region's mosquito control commissions produced a TV commercial for the first time this year to get the message out to the public.
In addition to eliminating breeding spots, you can create a barrier between the mosquito and your skin with insect repellent.
Most repellents are based on N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, commonly known as DEET. There has been some controversy over DEET, said University of South Carolina's Williams, since in high concentrations it can cause medical problems such as brain damage and seizures. Repellents with more than 30 percent of DEET aren't necessary, he said.
For children, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends that repellents contain no more than 10 percent DEET.
Some non-chemical repellents used for centuries include pennyroyal, vanilla, citronella oil and cedar tree oil.
And those blue zapper lights?
No good against mosquitoes, Kertesz says. They were originally designed for use indoors, in poultry houses and restaurants, to control flies. Mosquitoes aren't attracted to light, so the zappers have little effect against them.
Neither do citronella candles. Or the ``mosquito repellent plant'' touted in magazine ads, he said.
Your best bet when the bugs get too bad?
Air conditioning. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic, top: Knight-Ridder/Tribune; Color photo: HUY
NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot
Workers for Chesapeake's Mosquito Control Commission, from left,
Buck Toney, Eric Johnson and Barry Hopkins clean ditches in Norcova
Estates Friday afternoon. Mosquitoes breed by the thousands in
standing water.
Graphic
SKEETER TIPS
Getting rid of mosquitoes:
Clean clogged gutters.
Empty children's wading pools after use. Pick up other toys that
could collect water.
Cover garbage cans you use and store those you don't.
Pick up watering cans or buckets around the yard.
Remove old tires, which can collect rainwater.
Look for other sources of standing water: leaky faucets,
birdbaths, fence holes, pet water dishes, even holes in trees. They
can all provide breeding spots for mosquitoes to lay thousands of
eggs.
Call your mosquito control commission. A staff member will
inspect your property and recommend ways to reduce the mosquito
population.
Using DEET-based insect repellents:
Use a low-DEET repellent and apply it sparingly.
Don't apply repellent near eyes, on lips or on broken skin. To
apply a spray to your face, spray your palm, then spread the
repellent carefully.
Avoid breathing a repellent spray. Don't use it near food.
Once it's not needed, wash repellent off with soap and water.
On children, use a product containing less than 10 percent DEET,
and keep it out of their reach. Don't apply repellent to a young
child's hands, which often wind up in the mouth.
Consider spraying your clothes instead of your skin. But note
that DEET can damage spandex, rayon and acetate.
Sources: Consumer Reports; interviews. by CNB