July 16, 2010
Populations of floodwater mosquitoes (Aedes vexans and Ochlertotatus sticticus) are in more abundance this year because of multiple issues such as extended spring weather, water levels along the rivers, sloughs, islands and floodplains in Multnomah County and land management practices that encourage standing water, which is a mosquito habitat. These two mosquito species are able to fly up to 25 miles, bite during the day and night, and can have more than one generation of young per year.
To protect yourself from mosquito bites:
- Remove all standing water on your property.
- Make sure your windows and doors have secure fitting screens.
- Use personal protection such as insect repellants with DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Consider control devices that collect and trap adult mosquitoes.
- Contact a pest control specialist or use an insecticide labele for adult mosquitoes.
For more information visit Multnomah County Vector Control.