Tackling Mosquitoes After Mild Winter In Northern Virginia

MCLEAN, VA—Summer in DC means mosquitoes and other pests are in full force. This week is Mosquito Control Awareness Week, a timely reminder about mosquito-borne illnesses. A local business owner cautions that it's extra important as more mosquitoes are expected this summer.

"This year is going to be compounded by the fact that we had a very mild winter, and so the [mosquitos]...didn't die off during the winter," said Chris Snead, owner of Mosquito Joe in McLean.

(Sign up for real time alerts and a newsletter. iPhone users can download the Patch app in the App Store. Plus, like McLean Patch on Facebook.)

Mosquitoes are known to transmit West Nile virus and other illnesses that can cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. Mosquito Joe, which provides mosquito, tick and flea control in the Northern Virginia area, is raising awareness of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes all throughout this week. From June 25-July 1, Snead and the corporation as a whole are each donating 5 percent of sales to the local Red Cross from June 25-July 1 to go to local blood banks.

The region's humid summers exacerbate the Washington, DC was recently named one of the top mosquito cities by pest control company Orkin. Snead said the biggest concern in Northern Virginia is the Asian Tiger mosquito, which can be prevalent not only at night, but throughout the day. "Not only the comforts of sitting outside but the illnesses carried by these insects are something we guard against as well," he said.

Residents can take precautions with water to minimize mosquitoes, since the insects only need a bottle cap full of water to lay dozens of eggs, according to Snead. Here are some tips residents can follow.

Regularly empty bird baths, fountains and ponds, especially if they aren't using running water.

• Keep grass and shrubs cut short.
• Clean out gutters.
• Avoid standing water.
• Drill a hole in objects like trash cans, recycling bins and tire swings so water can filter out.
• Use soil to fill in areas of the lawn where water collects.
• Keep swimming pools and hot tubs clean.
• Repair leaky faucets and hoses.

More information about mosquito-borne illnesses and prevention is available from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Image via Center for Disease Control and Prevention