Weather, rather than management activities, may be the deciding factor in how bad the mosquitoes get. As with so many things right now, sunshine and gentle breezes would be greatly appreciated. Fogging for adult mosquitoes is possible, but again, probably not practical nor extremely effective. Wide area treatment would be required for any long term, noticeable impact, and frequent fogging would be required to keep up with mosquito emergence and migration. Fogging by individuals or municipalities might be practical for short term relief for a special event but not for long term control.
Special certification is required of commercial pesticide applicators making mosquito treatments.
Repellents remain our most effective way to cope with the annoyance of mosquitoes. Use repellents only according to label directions, paying special attention to safety precautions. Health officials and entomology research specialists have agreed that there is little threat of an encephalitis outbreak accompanying any post-flooding increase in mosquito populations. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain and nervous system caused by a virus that is transmitted by mosquitoes from infected birds to people. The species of mosquito we will notice following the flooding is not an effective vector of the virus and the virus is not likely to build up to dangerous levels this late in the summer.