Control district reports spike in calls -- but winter storms this week will bring relief
This is the pest: Culex quinquefasciatus. The bothersome insect has emerged from dormancy thanks to the record warm weather earlier this month. Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In mid-winter, mosquitos are pestering people throughout the greater Sacramento area.
Wooed out of hibernation by record warm weather, these itty-bitty biters likely were hiding in crevices indoors or near home entries. And they’re very hungry; mosquitoes need a “blood meal” to start their reproductive cycle.
Fortunately, the species we’re seeing now are more pesky, than dangerous.
“These are not the type of mosquitos that carry West Nile,” said Luz Maria Robles, spokeswoman for the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. “They are more a nuisance and they are coming out of hibernation aggressive and looking to eat.”
Tuesday (Jan. 30), the district reported that mosquito-related calls have spiked during our recent stretch of warm weather. Highs on Sunday and Monday edged into the low 70s – a spring-like wake-up call for mosquitoes.
“This is a typical trend that we see every year when we get a few days of sunny and warm weather,” said Gary Goodman, the vector district’s manager. “These mosquitoes are ones that had been hibernating during the past few months. The warm temperatures have brought them out of resting and they are aggressively biting.”
The warm weather tempted more people outside in shorts and short sleeves. That made the mosquitos’ presence all the more obvious – especially near dawn or dusk when the critters are most active.
“Since people are spending more time outside, they are noticing the mosquitoes,” added Goodman.
More than 50 species of mosquitoes inhabit California. Some species may bite mammals and birds as well as people.
District crews have been looking for and inspecting areas where mosquitoes can breed, such as abandoned swimming pools or other places where water can collect, Goodman said.
But relief is on the way. (In fact, it’s already here.)
Although mosquitoes need water, this week’s big storms should give us a break from the bugs. The winter rain – and the return to lower temperatures – will force the mosquitos back into resting mode.
“Luckily, rain is in the forecast for the next few days, so we should get a break,” Goodman said.
That relief could be short-lived. As soon as temperatures start rising again, so will the mosquito bites.
The best defense? Wear long sleeves and long pants while outdoors. In addition, use an effective mosquito repellent that contains DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, says the district.
After the storms, remember to empty any standing water that may have collected around your house in saucers under pots, toys, wheelbarrows or other spots.
To report an infestation or request a home inspection, call 1-800-429-1022.
For more information: www.FIGHTtheBITE.net.
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Garden Checklist for week of Nov. 3
November still offers good weather for fall planting:
* If you haven't already, it's time to clean up the remains of summer. Pull faded annuals and vegetables. Prune dead or broken branches from trees.
* Now is the best time to plant most trees and shrubs. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from fall and winter rains.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Keep planting bulbs to spread out your spring bloom. Some possible suggestions: daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips, anemones and scillas.
* This is also a good time to seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Rake and compost leaves, but dispose of any diseased plant material. For example, if peach and nectarine trees showed signs of leaf curl this year, clean up under trees and dispose of those leaves instead of composting.
* Save dry stalks and seedpods from poppies and coneflowers for fall bouquets and holiday decorating.
* For holiday blooms indoors, plant paperwhite narcissus bulbs now. Fill a shallow bowl or dish with 2 inches of rocks or pebbles. Place bulbs in the dish with the root end nestled in the rocks. Add water until it just touches the bottom of the bulbs. Place the dish in a sunny window. Add water as needed.
* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.
* For larger blooms, pinch off some camellia buds.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while dormant.
* To help prevent leaf curl, apply a copper fungicide spray to peach and nectarine trees after they lose their leaves this month. Leaf curl, which shows up in the spring, is caused by a fungus that winters as spores on the limbs and around the tree in fallen leaves. Sprays are most effective now.
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