A rainy spring will mean a "record year" for mosquitoes

PROVO – The cool and wet spring will present another outdoor challenge this summer: mosquitoes!

This is the ominous prediction along the Wasatch Front as mosquitoes begin to hatch. But there is something you can do to make your barbecue in the yard more enjoyable.

"You can help eliminate breeding sites in your neighborhood by emptying stagnant water from your gutters and checking for anything that could hold water back," said Danny Miller, director of anti-breeding. mosquitoes at the Utah County Health Department.

West Nile virus testing began this week in Utah County, where human cases have been reported in recent years.

"It's early enough, so we do not think that will happen," Miller said. "It usually takes a good, hot summer day for the virus to reach a level that we detect in mosquito pools."

With more water in Utah Lake this source, mosquitoes can hatch further; and new neighborhoods close to the lake could be hit hard.

"The traditional habitat of mosquitoes has become a home, but mosquitoes still use them and so they will find another place to lay their eggs," he added.

It goes without saying that you should wear this mosquito repellent if you stay outside at night, but do everything you can to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside your home.

"Repair mosquito nets and doors so that mosquitoes can not get home at night and we have a very safe and pleasant summer, but these precautions need to be taken," Miller warned.

As temperatures have remained relatively cool, mosquito control has not yet begun to spray in Utah County; but this will begin soon as soon as the evening temperature remains above 50 degrees.

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