Warm, humid, wet weather means mosquitoes could be on the rise

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — It’s that time of year again, when slapping your skin and scratching a bite becomes common. With the warm, humid, and wet weather of summer approaching, you should start prepping for mosquitoes.

“People can actually develop rashes from a mosquito bite, because they have the potential to carry disease. We’re constantly looking out for new species that are coming into the area,” said Marie Hemmen from New Hanover County Vector Control.

NHCVC and local businesses like Mosquito Squad are on the hunt for the pests.

The hot spot for mosquitoes in the county is constantly changing.

“It used to be Fort Fisher. That was an active site for us down in the south, but in the last couple years, that hasn’t been the case. It’s actually been in the north part of the county, along the northeast Cape Fear River, so that’s our more active area,” Hemmen said.

One of the easiest ways to keep mosquitoes out of your backyard is to get rid of any standing water.

“Make sure gutters are cleared. Anything that’s holding water, be sure to tip it over, turn it over and don’t let it collect on the property because that’s where the eggs are going to be deposited,” said Walt Wilson, the general manager of Mosquito Squad.

Experts also recommend adding larvicide tablets to standing water to kill young mosquitoes. You can request Mosquito Squad to spray your yard with adulticides if necessary.

There are 44 different types of mosquitoes in New Hanover County. Vector Control is on alert for the Asian Tiger Mosquito, as it can transmit diseases such as West Nile, Zika and more.