Puddles = West Nile Virus?

Not all puddles breed mosquitoes

There seems to be some concern that every puddle is potentially a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and thus a source of West Nile Virus. Although it is important to eliminate standing water, one must also not panic whenever one sees a drop of water that sits in one spot. I searched the Internet for more specific information.

The key to remember is that it is stagnant water that is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and it takes over a week of it sitting there stagnant for it to see mosquitoes to maturity. At that point the mosquitoes could can carry West Nile. A puddle that keeps refilling in this monsoon season won't breed mosquitoes, nor will puddles that disappear in a day or two.

Here is some information that I pulled off the internet from the health services in Golden, Colorado. There are others that mention particular time tables also, this was short and informative. The elements that they targeted were fairly well suited to Leewood and you can use your imagination for the rest!

"Mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of the water. The mosquito that can carry the West Nile Virus lay their eggs in rafts which contain from 200-300 eggs. The eggs, which are laid in all types of bodies of water, hatch in two to three days, and, under ideal conditions, complete development within 8-10 days.

They prefer to breed in water with high organic matter content that has collected in artificial containers such as old tires, buckets, empty cans, food and beverage containers, storm sewer basins, and in ponds and wells. They can also breed in canals, ditches, mud puddles, cesspools, barrels and birdbaths. Help prevent mosquitoes from breeding by:

• Turning over or removing containers in your back yard where rainwater collects, this would include old tires, flower pots and trays, boats, buckets and toys.
• Cleaning out roof gutters and downspout screens regularly.
• Cleaning out birdbaths and wading pools once a week.
• Eliminating standing water that has accumulated on tarps and flat roofs.
• Making sure garbage cans and lids are turned upside down to prevent water from collecting in them."

Here's to a healthy and happy summer!

Judy Currier