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Early spring heat brings out mosquitoes

Avoid their bite; wear long sleeves and repellent

Mosquito on skin
This is an inland floodwater mosquito ( Aedes vexans ), among the
"first biter" varieties. (Photo courtesy Montana State University)



People love temperatures in the 70s – and so do mosquitoes.

Our current warm spell has brought out early-season mosquitoes in force, and they’re hungry.

“This is a typical trend that we see every year in February when we get a few days of sunny and warm weather,” said Gary Goodman, manager of the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District, in a district release Thursday. “These mosquitoes are ones that had been hibernating during the past few months. The warm temperatures have brought them out of resting and they are aggressively biting.”

According to the district, these mosquitoes are common in spring and are considered more of a seasonal nuisance than deadly threat. They’re not the species that carries West Nile Virus or other diseases. They just like to bite.

Sacramento is home to more than 50 mosquito species, according to the UC integrated pest management experts. Among the most common “first biters” is the inland floodwater mosquito ( Aedes vexans ). It doesn’t need a flood to hatch; just water and warmth. Its species name comes from the Latin word for “annoy.”

District crews have been inspecting and treating potential trouble spots where mosquitoes breed, noted the district.

This week, service requests shot up along with the heat. Those requests “increased significantly” when temperatures hit the high 60s and low 70s, says the district.

“People are enjoying the outdoors and they are noticing the mosquitoes more,” added Goodman.

As our warming trend continues, the district asked residents to keep an eye out for places where mosquitoes can breed. Drain any stagnant water that may have collected in flowerpots, saucers, buckets, bird baths, wheelbarrows or other containers. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as a few tablespoons of water.

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Garden Checklist for week of Feb. 2

During this stormy week, let the rain soak in while making plans for all the things you’re going to plant soon:

* During rainy weather, turn off the sprinklers. After a good soaking from winter storms, lawns can go at least a week without sprinklers, according to irrigation experts. For an average California home, that week off from watering can save 800 gallons.

* February serves as a wake-up call to gardeners. This month, you can transplant or direct-seed several flowers, including snapdragon, candytuft, lilies, astilbe, larkspur, Shasta and painted daisies, stocks, bleeding heart and coral bells.

* In the vegetable garden, plant Jerusalem artichoke tubers, and strawberry and rhubarb roots.

* Transplant cabbage and its close cousins – broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts – as well as lettuce (both loose leaf and head).

* Indoors, start peppers, tomatoes and eggplant from seed.

* Plant artichokes, asparagus and horseradish from root divisions.

* Plant potatoes from tubers and onions from sets (small bulbs). The onions will sprout quickly and can be used as green onions in March.

* From seed, plant beets, chard, lettuce, mustard, peas, radishes and turnips.

* Annuals are showing up in nurseries, but wait until the weather warms up a bit before planting. Instead, set out flowering perennials such as columbine and delphinium.

* Plant summer-flowering bulbs including cannas, calla lilies and gladiolus.

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