Current Conditions
29°F - P/CLOUDY
Lancaster is one of the few counties in the state to show evidence already of West Nile Virus this season.
The virus showed up in an East Hempfield Township mosquito sampling tested June 10.
Tonight in West Lampeter Township, the state Department of Environmental Protection will conduct its first spraying to reduce the mosquito population.
Residents of that area should look out for trucks and all-terrain vehicles mounted with spraying equipment used to disperse Biomist 3+15, a pyrethrin product. The insecticide is sprayed in lower concentrations than someone would typically use inside a home.
"Lancaster is one of the nine counties that has had mosquitoes with West Nile Virus found in it so far this year," said Lauri Lebo of the state DEP. "That makes you guys a special concern."
Infected mosquitoes can transmit the virus to humans and animals. In humans, the most serious cases can result in swelling of the brain, high fever, paralysis, tremors, convulsions or coma.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, four of five people infected with the virus won't experience symptoms. And only one person in 150 who contracts the virus will experience extreme symptoms.
The virus can take up to two weeks from the time an infected mosquito bites until symptoms appear.
Mild symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches and swollen lymph glands.Those most likely to be sidelined with a severe case are people over 50 and those with compromised health conditions, such as transplant patients.
To avoid the virus, the state Department of Health recommends disposing of anything around the yard that can hold stagnant water, where mosquitoes breed. It's a good idea to clean out roof gutters, where leaves accumulate, turning the gutters into a breeding spot for millions of mosquitoes.
The health department recommends using Bti products for treating stagnant water in the yard. The naturally occurring bacteria kills mosquito larvae and is safe for people, pets, aquatic life and plants. Bti products are available at lawn and garden centers and home-improvement stores.
To avoid mosquito bites, the health department recommends repairing screens so they fit tightly over doors and windows and avoiding exposure at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
Effective mosquito repellents contain DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Ask your pediatrician what to use on or around infants.
For a natural approach to reducing mosquitoes around your house, try attracting some of the state's nine bat species.
"Using bat houses encourages bats to live in the area, which is a natural form of pesticide, as bats can eat their weight, and then some, in bugs every night," said Jerry Feaser of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
And there are other plusses to buying or constructing a simple bat house for your yard.
(450) (161) (149) (69) (57) (28) (25) (15) (13) (6) (4)"By having bat boxes, you lessen the chance that bats will look to inhabit your home by providing them with a better-suited structure to live in," Feaser said.
For more information about West Nile virus and the state's surveillance and control program, go to www.westnile.state.pa.us. For more information about attracting bats to your area, visit Bat Conservation International at batcon.org/pdfs/AttractingBats.pdf.
E-mail: slindt@lnpnews.com
