SNHD helps locals 'fight the bite' with mosquito awareness

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — As temperatures increase in Southern Nevada, so does mosquito activity.

In an effort to get ahead of any issues, the Southern Nevada Health District is pushing information to help locals "fight the bite".

"These diseases are not predictable, we don't know when they're going to come into the valley or how severe they're going to be," said Dan Slater, the Senior Environmental Health Specialist with the Southern Nevada Health District.

His focus is vector control.

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“This year we've had a particularly wet spring, and there's going to be a lot of breeding habitat for mosquitoes in people's backyards and various locations throughout the valley,” explained Slater.

More breeding grounds means more mosquitos, which can equate to an increased risk of disease, right here at home.

Slater warns of health concerns from the pesky bugs like West Nile or St. Louis encephalitis, a viral disease which can bring fever, nausea, inflammation of the brain, long-term disability or even death.

To date, no mosquitoes have tested positive for these viruses.

"Use an FDA approved insect repellent, there is a number available," urged Slate.

In addition to repellant, Slater says the best way to "fight the bite" is to be on the lookout for standing water, that can turn into a baby crib for mosquitos.

If you have things like fountains and ponds around your home, Slater adds, don't fret because the Southern Nevada Health District can help, and for free.

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"If you have water features and you would like some mosquito fish we do have those at the health district and they're available upon request, we don't charge for those," he said.

The Health District’s surveillance activities also include setting traps in potential breeding areas that may include public and private property.

The Mosquito Surveillance Program uses a few different types of traps that people may see in parks, washes, drainage ditches, or areas of standing water on public property.

Traps set on private property are only placed with the permission of the owner.

Each trap provides a different method of attracting mosquitoes and targets specific species.

Traps used by the Health District include:

Encephalitis Vector Surveillance (EVS) traps: Designed to attract host-seeking female mosquitoes using carbon dioxide (dry ice) as the primary attractant.

This trap is designed to capture several types of mosquitoes including Culex, Anopheles, and Aedes.

Gravid traps: Designed to capture egg-laden (gravid) female mosquitoes using a baited water solution intended to simulate stagnant water found in the environment.

This trap is designed to primarily capture Culex mosquitoes.

BG-Sentinel Traps: These traps utilize color cues, artificially generated air plumes, and a scent lure to attract mosquitoes.

This trap is designed to attract Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.

If you come across a mosquito-infested area you can report it to the Health District by calling (702) 759-1633.