West Nile Mosquito Invasion 'Off-The-Charts' In OC: What To Know

WESTMINSTER, CA — Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus have been found this week in Orange County, according to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The mosquitoes were found in Westminster and Costa Mesa and prompted officials to warn the public Thursday to use insect repellant and take other steps this July 4 weekend to avoid the ankle biters.

"We are seeing a lot of mosquito activity in general this year, considerably more than usual," said Brian Brannon, a spokesman for the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

"In a five-year average of mosquito abundance, we're off the charts," Brannon said. "Now we have positive West Nile Virus infections in 10 cities."

Mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus have been found in Newport Beach, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Cypress, Fullerton and Westminster. The infected pests have been found in four traps in Buena Park, twice in Santa Ana, and five times in Fullerton, but once in the other cities.

Vector control officials have not yet gotten to the point of doing spraying from trucks yet, Brannon said.

Last year, the agency had 186 mosquito pools with infected pests, Brannon said. Four people were infected, but no one has contracted the virus this year, he added.

The agency has mostly seen the southern house mosquitoes which usually strike at dusk and dawn, Brannon said. The "ankle biters" will bite all day and can breed in homes, but those usually are seen later in the summer, Brannon said.

The southern house mosquito usually needs a large body of water to breed in, but the ankle biters can breed in a capful of water, he said.

The southern house mosquitoes can be warded off with any sort of repellant, but insect spray with 30% DEET is recommended for the ankle biters.

Residents are advised to use a fan, which can blow away the weak fliers, Brannon said. Residents should also make sure screens are in good order and to dump stagnant water at least once a week.

The unusual warm and wet conditions are being blamed for a sharp increase in mosquito activity across California as far north as Sacramento and especially in Southern California.

The unusually early start to the mosquito season raises concerns about a brutal bug summer, and the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus, dengue fever, and St. Louis Encephalitis Virus.

OC Vector Spokesperson Brian Bannon warned in March that residents can expect a surge in mosquito activity in areas that have recently experienced heavy rains followed by sudden heat.

"Unfortunately, what it could be setting us up for is a really bad summer," Bannon said. "Typically, this is what we see when they have had a chance to get a head start and breed and increase their numbers during the off season."

Residents can request Vector Control staff to come and do a free house canvassing to see what can be done to minimize mosquitoes on the property.

Such services are offered in Orange, Riverside, San Diego and Los Angeles counties. Bannon urged all residents to take advantage of these resources before peak mosquito season hits in the summer.

Here are some tips and tricks to dealing with mosquitoes in February, per OC Vector:

Preventing mosquito bites

• Apply mosquito repellents to exposed skin before going outdoors and reapply if needed.
• Wear repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or lemon eucalyptus oil.
• Close all unscreened doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants as well as lighter-colored clothing.

How to get rid of mosquito breeding sources from your property

• Dump and drain any contained that fill with water at least once a week.
• Clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls weekly.
• Dump water from potted plant saucers.
• Don't move or share plant stems rooted in water.
• Drill a hole or puncture containers to eliminate standing water.

Residents can get more information about mosquitoes on the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District website.