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KAYSVILLE -- Wet conditions from the rain and melting snow have threatened many homes around the state, but county abatement crews warn of another hazard affecting homes.
County abatement crews around the state are warning residents of a bug-filled summer. The wet conditions have become a major breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.
In Davis County, crews say they have had to cover about a third more ground than usual. Jake Taylor and Braydon Hatch are two members of the crew that are stuck doing the dirty work.
The mosquitoes lay their eggs in the mud along the banks of rivers, streams and ponds. When the water rises, the eggs hatch. Those eggs can live for 10 years in the mud, so a big water year leads to a big hatch.
At a breeding ground in Woods Cross, they have no problem finding plenty of mosquito larvae. With so much ground to cover, they mark each zone with GPS coordinates to record where the abatement crews have treated.
Normally, this time of year, our springtime areas are drying up and going away.
–Gary Hatch
The crews treat an area with hand tanks and ATV's, depending on the size of the breeding ground.
Several of the technicians have been working overtime in a preemptive strike against the breeding mosquitoes.
"Normally, this time of year, our springtime areas are drying up and going away," said Gary Hatch, director of Davis Mosquito Abatement.
Hatch said they've got about forty crews working around the clock, which has him worried about his unusually high budget.
"We're concerned," Hatch said. "I think we'll be okay, but we're watching very closely."
As temperature begin to warm up, the abatement crews are asking people to be prepared for an influx of mosquitoes, which spread illnesses like Lyme disease and the West Nile virus.
Mosquitoes need very little water to breed and grow. The mosquito abatement teams say almost anything that will hold water for one week or more can produce these pests.
Ideas to get rid of places where water collects:
- Drill holes in or discard old tires
- Cap hollow, open fence posts
- Clear leaves and debris from rain gutters and downspouts
- Clear grass clippings and gravel from street gutters
- Drain water from yard decorations
- Turn unused containers upside down. Wading pools, buckets, cans, barrels, scrap metal, and "yard junk" are favorite areas for some mosquitoes
Prevent standing water from becoming a breeding place:
- Change birdbath water twice every week
- Change trough water or contact Mosquito Abatement District-Davis for products that can be used in potable water
- Pour excess water from plant pots weekly
- Examine these places after rain and watering
If you notice some potential breeding grounds around your home that weren't there before, you're asked to contact your local mosquito abatement office. For more information call 801-544-3736, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
E-mail: manderson@ksl.com
