ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 14, 1996 TAG: 9609160012
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
There's a bumper crop of mosquitoes in Virginia this summer because of frequent rains and no drought to dry up the bloodsuckers' breeding spots, such as backyard birdbaths and discarded tires.
Joe Kertesz, an entomologist with the city of Hampton for 11 years, said this is the most prolific mosquito season he can recall.
``There have been absolutely perfect conditions,'' Kertesz said. ``They have had all summer to build up, and their populations are reaching their max.''
To add insult to itch, many areas of Virginia have been invaded in recent years with the ferocious Asian tiger mosquito, which breeds a few feet from your door and bites during the day.
Don Febish, 63, said the tiger mosquitoes are making it almost impossible for him to enjoy his back yard in Chesterfield County. He's afraid to leave his grandchildren in a playpen outside.
``We don't want these mosquitoes feeding on them,'' Febish said.
Tiger mosquitoes probably exist throughout Virginia, said Eric Day, manager of the insect identification lab at Virginia Tech.
There are about 30 species of mosquito in the state. They are mainly an irritant, but they do pose a potential health risk.
Some mosquitoes in Virginia carry encephalitis. A victim usually suffers little more than a fever or a headache, but the disease can kill.
There have been 12 confirmed instances of encephalitis linked to mosquitoes since 1975, two of them fatal, according to the state Department of Health.
Only female mosquitoes bite. They need the proteins in blood to develop eggs. Males feed off the juices in plants.
A female can lay more than 100 eggs, depending on the species. The eggs are laid in or near standing water. A tin can, a hole in a tree or a clogged downspout work nicely.
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