This is an Aedes albopictus female mosquito obtaining a blood meal from a human host. Photo by James Gathany, Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

By Jeff Burbrink
Ag & Natural Resources Extension Educator, Purdue Extension, LaGrange County

LAGRANGE — During the summer of 2001, I noticed an odd phenomenon as I mowed some tall grass on my property, the image of which is still burned into my memory.

Jeff Burbrink

Every so often, I would see a puff of blue, black and gray feathers shoot out of the mower. It must have happened 20 or 30 times that day. It was unnerving. What I was seeing was the evidence that West Nile Virus had arrived in Indiana. One of the most visible signs was dead blue jays. The raptor family of birds (crows, owls, hawks, jays) is especially prone to the disease.

That year, several people in my neighborhood contracted West Nile, and a few people died. I understand that 80% of the people who are bitten by the virus-carrying mosquitoes will show no symptoms, while 20% will have headaches, joint pain, body aches, diarrhea and vomiting. Approximately 1% develop serious encephalins or meningitis with possible deadly consequences. Recovery for those poor folks takes months or years.

Fast forward to 2024, and it is happening again. As I mowed last week, I saw the familiar blue jay feathers being expelled as I mowed. A day or so later, the media was reporting cases of West Nile are ramping up in area hospitals. What should you do?

First of all, most mosquito activity is from dusk to dawn. In wooded, shady areas, mosquitoes are protected from the sun, and they can be active all day. If you must be outdoors in mosquito prone areas, use insect repellents that contain DEET, picardin or IR3535. Repellents need to be reapplied several times a day.

Wearing long sleeve and long pants can set up a physical barrier between your skin and the little blood suckers, but you also need to keep yourself protected from overheating. Make sure screens are in place on your windows. Try to eliminate standing stagnant water where the mosquitoes can reproduce. Water holding containers like bird baths, buckets, flower pots, clogged gutters, pool covers, old tires and water dishes are perfect breeding sites.

If you live near a wooded, swampy area like I do, it is nearly impossible to rid yourself of all mosquitoes. Even if you spray your property, the skeeters will find their way back into your life in a few days. Taking precautions, like using repellents, are probably your best option.

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