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Be on the lookout for dead birds: West Nile virus is back

Sacramento Digs Gardening
BY Debbie Arrington PUBLISHED JUN 29, 2020

Birds are the early warning of the presence of West Nile virus. (Photos courtesy UC Integrated Pest Management)

Mosquitoes spread it; take precautions when outdoors

Seen any dead birds in your neighborhood?

West Nile virus is back again this summer, with positive test samples found in 11 California counties including Sacramento. As of June 26, the state reported 92 positive mosquito samples and 19 dead birds containing the virus. Six dead birds were reported in Sacramento County just last week, bringing the total to seven for 2020 – the most of any county in the state.

The first human case in California this year was reported last week in Stanislaus County.

Transmitted by mosquito, West Nile virus is a potentially fatal disease that’s affected California since 2003. Last year, 225 human cases were reported in our state including six deaths.

Since it was first detected in California, West Nile virus has infected more than 7,000 people and caused 709 deaths in our state.

Yellow-billed magpies are among

favorite Sacramento-area birds. Report

any dead birds at fightthebite.net

Sacramento County’s first 2020 mosquito sample with the virus was collected on Bond Road near Highway 99 in Elk Grove, according to the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. Other positive samples have been found in 95628 (Fair Oaks) and 95829 (Vineyard) zip codes. The first dead bird of the season – a California scrub-jay – was found in Carmichael. Other dead birds included crows and yellow-billed magpies.

“As we expected, the very warm weather we’ve had recently increased the number of mosquitoes and accelerated virus activity,” said Gary Goodman, district manager. “It’s important for residents to take these findings seriously and do everything they can to protect themselves.”

As a result of recent finds, the district will increase its monitoring and may soon start targeted ground spraying.

In the meantime, Sacramento County residents are urged to be on mosquito alert. Wear mosquito repellent when outside. Experts also urge people to wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors, and avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Drain potential mosquito breeding areas. Report neglected or abandoned pools and ponds.

And report dead birds. Call 1-800-429-1022 or visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net

Want to know more about the spread of West Nile virus? See tracking details and latest reports statewide: westnile.ca.gov .

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unusual weather Sacramento West Nile virus pests heat wave heat stress heat pest insects weather mosquitoes gardening birds heat

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Garden Checklist for week of May 19

Temperatures will be a bit higher than normal in the afternoons this week. Take care of chores early in the day – then enjoy the afternoon. It’s time to smell the roses.

* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. If you haven’t already, it’s time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters.

* Plant dahlia tubers. Other perennials to set out include verbena, coreopsis, coneflower and astilbe.

* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia and verbena.

* Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth.

* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.

* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.

* Don’t forget to water. Seedlings need moisture. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants.

* Add mulch to the garden to help keep that precious water from evaporating. Mulch also cuts down on weeds. But don’t let it mound around the stems or trunks of trees or shrubs. Leave about a 6-inch to 1-foot circle to avoid crown rot or other problems.

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