What to know about mosquitoes and West Nile ahead of Labor Day
Sep 1, 2023, 3:02 PM | Updated: 5:24 pm
FILE: Bycatch from a sampling of mosquitoes at the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement lab (Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
(Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Weber County Mosquito Abatement District is the latest to report West Nile Virus in the mosquito pools it tests.
They report mosquito pools tested positive for West Nile Virus, and that the abatement district will increase spraying, in these areas:
- Roy, near 4300 West and 5500 South
- Ogden, near 24th Street and Pierce
- and N. Ogden, near 2700 North and 550 East.
Earlier this week, the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District reported West Nile Virus in mosquito pools near the new Utah Correctional Facility.
At that time, prison officials reported they’d advised workers to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and closed-toe shoes.
The CDC reports 455 cases of West Nile Virus across the United States in 2023, so far.
Gary Hatch, manager of the Davis County Mosquito Abatement District, told KSL NewsRadio that West Nile Virus is still “very active” at this time.
“Especially in the lower elevations. You want to put on your repellent if you’re out after the sun goes down,” he said. ” You want to wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt if you can.”
Hatch also advised removing any standing water around the outside of the house, such as inside of buckets, pails and wheelbarrows.
The good news is if the weather cools, mosquito activity should start tapering off about the middle of September. But if temperatures remain above average, like last year, it may be until October until the mosquitoes begin to disappear.
Related:
- UHP out in full force with major delays throughout Labor Day weekend
- Officials urge caution to travelers with heavy rain expected for the holiday weekend
- Fan quake? Or earthquake? U of U fans go seismic at Rice Eccles
