Rain creates mosquito breeding areas
Officials: Standing pools of water are a potential hazard

Tall weeds like these cattails on the banks of the Rio San Jose next to Nimitz Avenue in Grants are a resting ground for mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile virus. Recent rains have created many standing pools of water where mosquitoes breed. [Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent]

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Recent thunderstorms have created a potential nightmare for Cibola County Vector Control agents as standing pools of water breeding grounds for mosquitoes have been created and are staying around because of continuing rain.

A possible mosquito population explosion is what is being faced by county workers who work at night spraying two different types of insecticides in an attempt to eliminate, or at least minimize the mosquito population.

Jimmy Chavez, Cibola County Road Department manager, said residents and businesses should get rid of standing pools of water because of the mosquito problem.

Mosquitoes carry the west Nile virus which can affect horses and humans, causing meningitis which makes both equines and humans sick and can be, at times, fatal.

"Get rid of standing water," Chavez said. "Do whatever it takes."

Old tires that have water in them are the favorite places for mosquitoes to breed, he said. Get rid of the tires. If that isn't possible, drain the water out of them.

People need to drain any pools of water on their property by digging a channel and draining them or using a sump pump if they are on low-lying ground.

If there is no sump pump available, bring in fill dirt and level it out.

"All these moves to get rid of standing water will help keep mosquitoes from breeding so much," he said.

The Rio San Jose near the Movie Gallery at the eastern side of Grants is filled with tall weeds and this is an area where mosquitoes like to rest during the day, Chavez said.

"We can't get our larvacide in there very well," he said. "The larvacide kills mosquitoes in the larvae stage, before they hatch and become adults."

So far, Cibola County is west Nile virus free this year, but August is the peak month because of the monsoon rains.

Chavez said to help keep from being bitten by mosquitoes possibly carrying the virus, adults and children should wear long sleeve shirts and long pants, especially at night when mosquitoes are most active.

"Use an insect repellent that carries at least 27-30 percent DEET," he said. DEET is a special ingredient that kills mosquitoes.

Vector control agents have trapped between 250-270 mosquitoes so far this year. Last year they trapped 1,832 mosquitoes between May and October.

"I expect to end the program by early October," Chavez said.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: tiffin.independent@yahoo.com