More West Nile Mosquitoes Found in Greenwich

GREENWICH, Conn. — Another batch of mosquitoes trapped in Greenwich has tested positive for West Nile virus, public health officials said Tuesday. They were the secod group to identify positive this year. The mosquitoes were trapped at three locations, including the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, Lake Avenue and near the Merritt Parkway. The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven plans to continue to trap and test mosquitoes at those locations through the early part of fall.

The first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes were found in Greenwich on June 14. Positive mosquitoes were also found in 14 other Connecticut towns, including Bridgeport, Danbury, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, New Canaan, Stamford, Stratford and Westport. Here are some tips to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes: • Avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. • If you plan to be outdoors for a long period of time, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and use mosquito repellent according to the manufacturer’s directions on the label (10% or less DEET for children and no more than 30% DEET for adults). Always wash treated skin when returning indoors. Avoid application of repellents with DEET on infants and small children. • Cover up arms and legs of children playing outdoors and cover playpens or carriages with mosquito netting. • Don’t camp overnight near stagnant or standing water, where mosquitoes are most active. In addition, Greenwich residents are urged to participate in the town’s mosquito control efforts by eliminating standing water around their homes. You can do this by: • Getting rid of old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles or any other containers that hold water; • Filling in or draining puddles and ruts in your yard; • Keeping gutters, drains, ditches and culverts clean of weeds and trash so water will drain properly; • Covering trash containers to keep out rainwater; • Repairing leaky pipes and outside faucets; • Emptying plastic wading pools at least once a week and storing indoors when not in use; • Making sure your backyard pool is properly chlorinated; • Using sand or concrete to fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that may hold water; • Changing the water in birdbaths and plant pots or drip trays at least once a week; • Keeping grass cut short and shrubbery well-trimmed around the house; • Eliminating collected water in boat or pool covers. 

Will you be stepping up efforts to protect you and your family from mosquitoes? Comment below or send responses to ahelhoski@thedailygreenwich.com.

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