Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Samantha Hayes reportingDR. SAM DICKSON/SLC MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT: I WILL PREDICT THIS...TEN DAYS AFTER A GOOD RAIN PEOPLE IN SALT LAKE CITY WILL SEE MOSQUITOS."
And lots of them.
But the big question is, will these homegrown Utah mosquitoes carry the West Nile -Virus?
We weren't the only ones waiting on the rain, for several weeks. So, were the mosquitos. And, after 2- days of steady showers this week, they are out in force.
They certainly are pesky, but scientists say that's the worst thing about the mosquitos biting you right now.
There they are, just darting and squiggling around in the wheelbarrow, or that green thing you forgot about and left in the backyard. Hundreds of mosquito larvae, and all they needed was a little rain to get started.
DR. SAM DICKSON/SLC MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT: "WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS FIND MOSQUITO LARVAE IN THE WATER AND TREAT THEM IN THE WATER BEFORE THEY BECOME ADULTS."
Dr. Sam Dickson says the Salt Lake City mosquito abatement district targets thousands of acres of wetlands outside the city.
SAMANTHA HAYES/EYEWITNESS NEWS: "A GOOD PORTION OF THIS MARSH LAND NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT WAS FLOODED THE LAST TWO DAYS AND WHILE THESE SWALLOWS YOU SEE ARE DOING THEIR PART TO EAT THE ADULT MOSQUITOS, A MUCH GREATER EFFORT IS NEEDED TO CONTAIN THE LARVAE."
DR. SAM: "WE'LL PROBABLY CONTROL 60 OR 70 PERCENT OF THOSE BUT THAT STILL LEAVES 3 OR 400 MILLION MOSQUITOS TO HIT THE CITY."
And just in time for one of the biggest summer outdoor activities, July 4th. But Dickson says this latest crop doesn't carry West Nile.
DR. SAM: "THESE MOSQUITOS AREN'T GOING TO TRANSMIT DISEASE...JUST A NUISANCE. "
Abatement districts and the Health Department are constantly catching and testing mosquitos for West Nile...as well as checking horses, chickens, and other birds, for signs of the disease.
DR. SAM: "IT WOULD NOT BE SURPRISING TO SEE IT (WEST NILE) SOMETIME IN UTAH THIS YEAR. BUT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND EVEN WHEN THE VIRUS COMES, IT IS A VERY LOW PROBABILITY THAT ANY ONE PERSON WOULD GET THE DISEASE."
To protect against mosquitos, especially those carrying West Nile, the Utah Health Department recommends:
- Protect from Dusk to Dawn
- Use repellant with DEET
- Long sleeves and pants
- Remove standing water
