This time of the year is peak time for mosquito activity in Kentucky. The number of mosquitoes depends on the timing of rain events.
Crews from the Fayette County Health Department have been setting out traps for mosquitoes. They’re used to get a better handle on areas with high numbers. Luke Mathias is the environmental health and preparedness team leader. Mathias said the best first step for homeowners is to scour around their house for water collection.
“Even anything as small as a bottle cap. I’ve seen pictures of bottle caps that were found out in a field and you can see little mosquito larvae just in the little bit of water that’s contained in a bottle cap,” said Mathias.
While they last, residents of Fayette County can get free larvicide tablets at the health department. Mathias noted it’s not unusual for a West Nile case or two, often in animals, to occur sometime during the summer in Lexington.
Mathias added rainy weather last week could provide ideal breeding conditions.
“I would expect here in the next couple weeks that rainwater collects in low areas and ditches and containers in people’s yards. I would expect that we’ll get a surge of mosquito calls, complaints, in the next couple weeks,” said Mathias.
Mathias said consistent rains could actually help to keep down mosquito numbers by washing out collection areas. He said properly licensed mosquito eradication firms can help, but Mathias first suggests that homeowners check for water collection spots.
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