Chatham County Mosquito Control

The average number of mosquitoes caught in traps fell for the second consecutive week as we begin to move into the twilight of our mosquito season. However, we did receive confirmation of another West Nile virus positive sample from a group of mosquitoes collected on November 12 in the Garden City area. This positive sample is tied for the latest we have ever collected local mosquitoes with the virus, which happened in 2002 when two positive samples were reported on that same... date. In 2002, West Nile virus showed up late in the season, much like this year, and a total of nine mosquito samples were recorded with virus. In 2020, a total of eleven positive samples have been reported, although the volume of samples submitted for testing is close to five times greater now than it was in 2002. Please remember to contact Mosquito Control if you are experiencing any mosquito problems either directly or on-line. See more

Cool and windy conditions last week kept mosquito complaints and the number of mosquitoes caught in traps low. In fact, the average number of mosquitoes collected from traps was the lowest since the end of February. Warmer temperatures may spark a rise in mosquito activity during the week. However, with little rain currently predicted in the extended forecast, the downward trend in mosquito numbers may continue. West Nile virus has not been detected from sentinel chickens or locally collected mosquitoes since mid October. Please call or report online any mosquito related problem you may be experiencing.

Very few requests for service were received this past week, most likely because of the rainy weather we experienced throughout the week. However, we did have a few traps that captured large numbers (200-300 plus) of adult mosquitoes even though conditions were less than ideal. Several traps also caught an abundance of gnats which many residents confuse with mosquitoes at times. Cooler temperatures will probably drive these mosquito numbers down as we move through the week. We will keep a close eye on larval sites that were flooded by the recent rains, and treat areas as needed. Please remember to report any mosquito problem you may be having either directly to us by phone or on-line.

Another week went by where no additional reports of any West Nile positive mosquitoes were found from locally collected mosquitoes submitted for testing. Vector mosquito numbers have actually risen over the last two months, although this increase is driven by large numbers of a species of mosquito (Culex nigripalpus) that only occasionally is involved in our arbovirus ecology. The predicted cooler weather should help slow down these populations as we progress through the week. Nuisance mosquito numbers experienced a substantial drop in October, and we anticipate this trend to continue into November. Please be sure to let us know of any mosquito problems you’re having either by calling us directly or contacting us on line.

No reports of any additional West Nile positive mosquito samples from our area were relayed to us this past week. Our results for this year stand at nine positive mosquito samples and one positive sentinel chicken from a total of eight sites in the county. We did notice that vector mosquito numbers had risen at a few of our regular trapping locales last week, and additional aerial treatments may be necessary in some areas. Calls concerning nuisance mosquito populations have fallen off over the last week. Please call Mosquito Control and report any mosquito problems you are experiencing or visit us on line. Also, remember that our facility is open for early voting through the week from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.