Vancouver Reporter

Mosquito activity in Ridgefield is high.

The  Clark County Mosquito Control District conducts surveillance and  abatement activities through the active mosquito season each year. The  mosquito control crew treats for both

mosquito larvae and fogs large  open areas in attempt to eliminate adult mosquitos.

Clark County  Mosquito control crews have been active in Ridgefield (You can see 2022  Treatment locations on their website), but it can be difficult to  control mosquito populations.

To learn more about the mosquito control crew or to request service, visit their website at https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/mosquito-control-district.  Service requests may be

submitted through a simple online form, or by  calling 360-574-7906 and leaving a message with your first and last  name, address including city and zip code, telephone

number,description  and location of the problem.

From Clark County Public Health Press Release, July 13:

Clark  County Mosquito Control District has been working to reduce the  mosquito population since April and continues to treat areas with high  numbers of mosquitoes across the

county. As crews work to control the  mosquito population, Public Health is encouraging everyone to take steps  to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate mosquito habitats on their

 property.

The species of mosquitoes that are currently active in  Clark County lay their eggs in the damp soil along rivers during late  spring and early summer. As mountain snow melts and

water levels rise,  those areas become covered with water and the eggs hatch.

The dry  spring and summer in 2021 meant lower water levels, fewer mosquito eggs  hatching and a smaller population of adult mosquitoes. This year,  however, the region

experienced record rainfall, and in June the  Columbia River reached the flood stage. As hundreds of acres around  local rivers flooded, mosquito eggs began hatching, including any

eggs  that did not hatch last year.

“All of those conditions culminating  at the same time created this year’s perfect storm,” said Mario  Boisvert, Clark County Mosquito Control District manager.

This  spring the Mosquito Control District used a helicopter to treat more  than 1,600 acres of mosquito breeding grounds with larvicide. Now  technicians are setting traps to identity

areas with large populations  of adult mosquitoes and using trucks to treat those areas. And the  Mosquito Control District is working to address more than 300 requests  for service

submitted over the last three weeks.

In addition,  Mosquito Control District technicians are treating thousands of catch  basins across the county to prevent the hatching of a species of  mosquitoes that can carry West

Nile virus. Technicians also trap adult  mosquitoes in these areas to test for West Nile virus. Clark County has  never had a positive test result in a mosquito sample, though the virus

 has been detected in mosquitoes in other parts of the state.

The  species of mosquitoes currently active in Clark County do not carry  human diseases, but their bites can cause discomfort. Public Health is  urging residents to take steps to

avoid mosquito bites:

• Install or repair screens on windows and doors.
• When possible, stay indoors during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
• When practical, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, socks, and hats outside, especially in wooded or wetland areas.
• Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when outdoors.
• Use EPA-registered insect repellents,  including those with DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon  eucalyptus. Use especially at dawn and dusk. Read the label and  carefully follow the instructions for applying repellents, especially  when applying on children.

Clark County residents can also  do their part to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding on their property  by taking these simple steps:

• Drain standing water from old tires, flowerpots, buckets, plastic tarps, and wheelbarrows.
• Change water in bird baths, ponds, wading pools, pet bowls and animal troughs at least twice a week.
• Repair leaking faucets and sprinklers; clean clogged gutters.
• Properly maintain swimming pools.
• Check for containers or trash in hard-to-see places, such as under bushes.

The  Clark County Mosquito Control District will continue surveillance and  treatment activities throughout the active mosquito season, which  usually runs through the end of

September. To learn more about treatment  activities or to submit a request for service, visit the Mosquito Control District website.

Original source can be found here.