Ron, here is a clip from an article in E Magazine about West Nile and
mosquitoes. As you will see in the article, the mosquitoes most likely to
carry West Nile do not breed in ponds. They like murky, standing water such
as that found in old tires, gutters, bird baths that haven't been cleaned
regularly -- those places where water collects and does not move. Snohomish
County had a public education program last year to encourage homeowners to
eliminate sources of standing water. That's a much more likely source than
streams or any body of water that moves.

You can view the full article at:
http://www.emagazine.com/november-december_2003/1103gl_health.html

Ileen Weber
Everett, WA

GREEN LIVING: YOUR HEALTH
Beyond the Bite
How to Fight the West Nile Virus
by Alyssa Israel

..... According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even
in areas where mosquitoes do carry West Nile virus, only about one in 500
are carriers. ...Most people who do contract the disease experience very
mild symptoms-or none at all.
....West Nile virus has taken an even greater toll on a variety of animals.
In 2002, the CDC reported more than 9,000 cases of West Nile virus-related
illness among horses and more than 14,000 deaths among crows, blue jays and
92 other bird species. While scientists do not know the actual number of
bird deaths, they are learning other things from the studies launched in
response. In New York, where 80,000 dead birds were collected, it was found
that more died from exposure to common lawn pesticides such as Diaznon and
Dursban than from West Nile virus, according to the National Audubon
Society.
....One of the most effective, cheapest and environmentally benign ways to
reduce the chance of infection is to eliminate mosquito-breeding grounds
around your home. The West Nile virus has been found in 36 different
varieties of mosquito, but the CDC still considers the Culex variety to be
its primary vector. The Culex mosquito lays its eggs in murky, standing
water such as in puddles, birdbaths and discarded tires.
Leaving standing water around your home may mean a new batch of adult
mosquitoes emerging daily. Empty accumulated water from tire swings and
outdoor toys. Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
Clean clogged roof gutters regularly. Turn over plastic children's pools and
wheelbarrows, and change water in birdbaths every seven days. Keep swimming
pools chlorinated (or use a natural alternative), and aerate ornamental
pools or stock them with larva-eating fish that are indigenous to your area.
If you notice standing water on another person's property, you may report it
to your local health department, which can order it removed....
ALYSSA ISRAEL is a Connecticut-based consultant specializing in community
health.


-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Ron
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 8:34 PM
To: inland-nw-birders at uidaho.edu; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: A bit of a quandry

I hate mosquitos. And now, with West Nile Virus headed our way, I want them
around even less. So, what to do?

The options that I'm considering are bat houses and/or swallow houses.

As far as the bat houses go, it sounds like a great idea, but I have seen 2
patients in the emergency room in the last year that have been bitten by
rabid bats (tested positive).

Then, I read on the internet, that swallows do not eat that many mosquitos
because they stop flying about the time the mosquitos come out.

Where I live, there are a lot of small ponds on surrounding properties, so
without some type of natural control, I'll continue getting frequent bites.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. If there is a consensus on controlling
them, it might be a good idea for birders to band together (pun?) and try a
state wide project since the WNV kills birds.

Thanks in advance,
Ron McCluskey
Cheney, WA