UMATILLA, Ore.-Late summer is peak mosquito season and the City of Umatilla and West Umatilla Mosquito Control District (WUMCD) are reminding residents to be safe as summer winds down.
Mosquito bite safety tips
- Dump all standing water around your home and make sure there is no place for water to collect and become stagnant on your property
- Check the screens on your doors and windows and make sure there are no holes mosquitoes could get in
- Wear pants, long sleeves and closed-toe shoes when outdoors during peak mosquito hours at dawn and dusk
- Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered insect repellent
There are 45 species of mosquitoes present in Oregon, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and while a bite is usually just an itchy annoyance, mosquitoes can transmit diseases, such as West Nile Virus in people and horses.
So far this year, West Nile Virus has been detected in three mosquito pools in Malheur County in the Southeast corner of Oregon, however, no positive cases in people, birds or horses have been reported, according to the Oregon Health Authority.
WUMCD works to manage mosquitoes throughout the summer and conducted targeted aerial spraying along Highway 730 Northeast of Hermiston on August 16, in response to a large hatch of mosquitoes.
A total of 2,200 acres starting at North Ott Road and including parts of Craig Road and areas along Progress and Spearman Road were treated, according to WUMCD.
Problem mosquitoes or hatches of mosquitoes in Umatilla County may be reported to the WUMCD hotline at 541.567.5201, requests may also be logged online
