Prevent West Nile virus-carrying mosquitos with natural techniques

Sharon Lawler, UC Davis associate professor of entomology, says Culex mosquitoes, which transmit the West Nile virus, are attracted to lights, especially bright lights. In addition to lights, Culex mosquitoes are attracted by heat (infrared light), perspiration, body odor, lactic acid and carbon dioxide.

Female mosquitoes usually blood-feed at dawn and dusk; they require blood meals to develop their eggs.

- Turning off unnecessary lighting in your yard at dusk and dawn can help two ways: you can reduce your chances of being bitten by mosquitoes that may migrate in from surrounding areas, and you can also save energy.
- You should also replace your porch lights with yellow "bug" lights, which tend to attract fewer mosquitoes, Lawler says.
- turn off the lights in windowed rooms and use the natural light;
- close off the air conditioning duct in the guest room or rooms not being used;
- and close the blinds during the day and open the windows at night to let the breezes flow through.
- be sure your windows have tight-fitting, intact screens, she cautions.

For more information, contact Lawler at (530) 754-8341, splawler@ucdavis.edu.