Weather triggers early mosquito season

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The West Nile Virus hit the Valley hard last year and this year abatement crews haven't had much of a break.

Some people have enjoyed our warm winter but others have noticed mosquitoes are out in full force. Mosquito season has come ahead of schedule.

Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District manager Steve Mulligan said, "We're probably a month early."

Mulligan said crews have been busy treating pools which have gone green. Homeowners should take a good look at their yard. He explained, "What they can really do is to go around, look for any containers that might hold water. Empty them out."

The twisting mosquito larvae can reach adulthood in just 7 to 10 days. The Culex mosquito can carry the West Nile Virus but a striped variety - Aedes Aegypti - can carry dengue or yellow fever, and it bites during the day. Traps have been set around the Valley.

Vector biologist Katherine Ramirez said, "They're going to lay their eggs in flower pots or gutters. Someplace where the eggs won't dry out and they can stay there for a year."

Fungus gnats and midges are often mistaken for mosquitoes. Abatement crews can determine if your yard needs to be treated.