Pesky Bugs are Back in Town

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Warm and wet weather welcomes some unwanted visitors, mosquitoes.

The bugs have the North Dakota Department of Health watching for any traces of West Nile virus.

Although the mosquitoes are not out in full force yet, they are currently testing samples to see if the bugs are going to be bad this summer.

Such a small insect can cause big problems.

Reports from the USGS indicate 22 North Dakotan’s last year were affected by the deadly West Nile virus carried by mosquitoes.

Ben Prather from Vector Control said, “We’re starting to see some signs that there could be more for instance, obviously there’s an abundance amount of water but we really need temperature, rain fall and a couple other factors to fall into place for that to be an epidemic season for West Nile virus.”

But Vector Control is anticipating a large increase of mosquitoes.

And it makes since as female mosquitoes can lay 300 eggs at a time.

Outside doing his daily gardening Bruce Gerlitz said, “I like be outside and it’s not as pleasant when there are mosquitoes around.”

Others agree like, Chelsea Spreeman said, “Even our dogs get “squito” bites too so they’re just all over.”

There are tips you can follow to protect yourself from these bugs.

“I do what I can to eliminate them. Cut the grass, keep the grass short. If I have anything that collects water try to keep that empty,” said Gerlitz.

Vector Control agrees with the avid gardener but say there are a few other things you should do to prepare.

“Moving your sub–pump hoses around, are definitely key, clearing gutters making sure you have containers tipped out and we’re definitely getting more towards the summer period where those higher temperatures should be around and kind of aggravating those situations.,” said Prather.

Vector control isn’t covering just Fargo and Cass County this year. They’ll also be fighting the bugs in Moorhead.