Mosquito season is approaching and health officials throughout the region are stepping up activities to prevent West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. Most West Nile infections are mild, resulting in fever and flu-like symptoms, but severe infections may cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and, rarely, death. The City of Milwaukie has five detention ponds in its inventory. Water samples from each pond will be taken throughout the spring and summer to test for the presence of mosquitoes. If a test result is positive, that pond will be treated with microbial insecticides such as Mosquito Dunks or B.t.i. Briquettes. Taking some simple actions around the house can eliminate mosquito-breeding areas and can reduce the risk of mosquito bites. Clackamas County Vector Control encourages people to empty all water around the home from containers such as gutters, flowerpots, old tires, or wheelbarrows. They also suggest repairing window and door screens and wearing long-sleeve clothing and long pants during peak mosquito-biting time, dusk to dawn. Clackamas County Vector Control does distribute Gambusia affinis, a minnow that feeds on mosquito larvae, to any citizen of the county. This minnow can only be used in land-locked waters. For more information call at 503-786-7615. Here are some other helpful sites: Public Health / Division of Clackamas County Clackamas County Vector Control National Pesticide Information Center
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