Once Flooding Stops Get Ready For A New Problem: Mosquitoes

This is already shaping up to be one of the worst years in history for flooding in and along the Boise River...The Boise River is at 9000cfs right now with about a 10% chance that we can see it rise to 10,000cfs before spring is over...unfortunately that will cause a whole new problem for the rest of the year....Mosquitoes

This is not only shaping up to be our worst year ever for flooding, but it could also lead to our worst year ever for Mosquitoes....Which means more itching and scratching and general misery if bitten....The one good thing is that the three types of mosquitoes that are getting ready to hatch are not the  ones responsible for carrying diseases like West Nile Virus.

In a story appearing in the Idaho Press Tribune, Ed Burnett, director of the Canyon County Mosquito Abatement District said, “We are seeing extremely high concentrated numbers of mosquito larvae, and as the temperatures warm up, the mosquito larvae found in many of the flooded areas around the county will turn into swarms of biting adult mosquitoes,”

Already samples taken from various locations around the Treasure Valley are showing historically high larval populations…which of course will mean historically high population of flying mosquitoes just about the time we start sitting down to evening BBQ’s, camp outs and get togethers.

When the Mosquito Abatement District identifies high risk areas, like those around Lake Lowell in Canyon County, those locations are then sprayed by plane to stop the hatching of the larvae.

If you are worried that the potential spraying may be a risk to your health you shouldn’t be… The Environmental Protection Agency states on its website that the bacteria they are spraying the high risk areas with, is approved for pest control in organic farming and that it does not pose a risk to humans, animals, crops, water supplies, children or insects, such as honey bees.

Burnett said that "although the mosquitoes hatching now are very aggressive and swarm in large numbers, the flying insects aren’t of the three species in Idaho that carry disease such as the West Nile Virus.  West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes become active when the air temperatures reach the 90s.”