Mosquitoes
We monitor mosquito breeding areas during the summer mosquito breeding season to look for mosquitoes that carry diseases that can make people sick.
Why Are We Concerned About Mosquitoes?
- Mosquitoes can transmit diseases like West Nile Virus.
- The primary targeted mosquito species of this annual surveillance is the Culex mosquito species since it can cause West Nile Virus infection in humans. The Culex species of mosquito is present in Dane County.
- The Zika Virus is carried by the Aedes species of mosquito. Aedes albopictus larvae was found in small numbers in Dane County in the summer of 2017. It does not mean the Zika virus is here, and there is no evidence of mosquito transmitted Zika virus in Dane County. PHMDC and the UW Medical Entomology Lab continue to monitor for its presence.
What Does Public Health Do To Reduce Numbers of Disease-Causing Mosquitoes?
- During mosquito season in Dane County, approximately late May through September, we monitor mosquito breeding areas to look for mosquitoes that carry diseases that can make people sick.
- Public Health also traps adult mosquitoes to measure population levels. Some of these mosquitoes are also tested for West Nile Virus.
- If high numbers of mosquitoes are found that are known to carry West Nile Virus, water is treated on public lands to reduce the mosquito population.
- Mosquito monitoring and control is done in partnership with Cities of Madison, Middleton, Monona and Sun Prairie; Town of Madison; and Villages of Maple Bluff and Shorewood Hills; and the University of Wisconsin.
What Can You Do to Prevent Mosquito Bites and Disease?
Prevent Mosquito Bites
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn. That's when many mosquitoes are most active.
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside.
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents, following product instructions.
- Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items.
Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Areas
- Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out containers that hold water, such as flower pots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, birdbaths, rain barrels, and trash cans.
Dead Bird Reporting
West Nile virus is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes get infected with West Nile virus by feeding on infected birds. Crows and blue jays are known to get sick and die from West Nile virus.
Starting on May 1, we collaborate the WI Department of Health Services to test crows and blue jays for West Nile virus by submitting sick or dead crows and blue jays for testing. This work continues until a bird tests positive for West Nile virus. If you find a sick or dead crow or blue jay in Dane County that you would like to have tested, please do the following:
Sick birds:
- Call the Dead Bird Hotline (800-433-1610) to report the bird.
- Call non-emergency dispatch at 608-255-2345 and ask for an Animal Services officer to respond for a sick bird.
Recently deceased crows or blue jays:
- Call the Dead Bird Hotline (800-433-1610) to report the bird.
- Birds suitable for submission do not show signs of decay or have maggots.
- Call our office at (608) 242-6515 to ask if birds are still being accepted for testing. (After 1 bird tests positive for WNV, no more tests will be done that year.)
- If birds are being accepted for testing, double bag the bird, complete the testing submission form, and bring to our office at 2300 S Park St, Room 2022, Madison, WI 53713.
After one bird is found to be positive for WNV in Dane County, no more birds from the county will be tested for WNV.
Resources
- Mosquito Larvae Monitoring and Control 2017 Report
- Mosquitoes and Disease in Wisconsin, UW-Madison Medical Entomology Lab (MEL)