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Be on the lookout for dead birds: West Nile virus is back

Sacramento Digs Gardening
BY Debbie Arrington PUBLISHED JUN 29, 2020

Birds are the early warning of the presence of West Nile virus. (Photos courtesy UC Integrated Pest Management)

Mosquitoes spread it; take precautions when outdoors

Seen any dead birds in your neighborhood?

West Nile virus is back again this summer, with positive test samples found in 11 California counties including Sacramento. As of June 26, the state reported 92 positive mosquito samples and 19 dead birds containing the virus. Six dead birds were reported in Sacramento County just last week, bringing the total to seven for 2020 – the most of any county in the state.

The first human case in California this year was reported last week in Stanislaus County.

Transmitted by mosquito, West Nile virus is a potentially fatal disease that’s affected California since 2003. Last year, 225 human cases were reported in our state including six deaths.

Since it was first detected in California, West Nile virus has infected more than 7,000 people and caused 709 deaths in our state.

Yellow-billed magpies are among

favorite Sacramento-area birds. Report

any dead birds at fightthebite.net

Sacramento County’s first 2020 mosquito sample with the virus was collected on Bond Road near Highway 99 in Elk Grove, according to the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. Other positive samples have been found in 95628 (Fair Oaks) and 95829 (Vineyard) zip codes. The first dead bird of the season – a California scrub-jay – was found in Carmichael. Other dead birds included crows and yellow-billed magpies.

“As we expected, the very warm weather we’ve had recently increased the number of mosquitoes and accelerated virus activity,” said Gary Goodman, district manager. “It’s important for residents to take these findings seriously and do everything they can to protect themselves.”

As a result of recent finds, the district will increase its monitoring and may soon start targeted ground spraying.

In the meantime, Sacramento County residents are urged to be on mosquito alert. Wear mosquito repellent when outside. Experts also urge people to wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors, and avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Drain potential mosquito breeding areas. Report neglected or abandoned pools and ponds.

And report dead birds. Call 1-800-429-1022 or visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net

Want to know more about the spread of West Nile virus? See tracking details and latest reports statewide: westnile.ca.gov .

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unusual weather Sacramento West Nile virus pests heat wave heat stress heat pest insects weather mosquitoes gardening birds heat

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Garden Checklist for week of April 21

This week there’s plenty to keep gardeners busy. With no rain in the immediate forecast, remember to irrigate any new transplants.

* Weed, weed, weed! Get them before they flower and go to seed.

* April is the last chance to plant citrus trees such as dwarf orange, lemon and kumquat. These trees also look good in landscaping and provide fresh fruit in winter.

* Smell orange blossoms? Feed citrus trees with a low dose of balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) during bloom to help set fruit. Keep an eye out for ants.

* Apply slow-release fertilizer to the lawn.

* Thoroughly clean debris from the bottom of outdoor ponds or fountains.

* Spring brings a flush of rapid growth, and that means your garden is really hungry. Feed shrubs and trees with a slow-release fertilizer. Or mulch with a 1-inch layer of compost.

* Azaleas and camellias looking a little yellow? If leaves are turning yellow between the veins, give them a boost with chelated iron.

* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.

* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, radishes and squash.

* Plant onion sets.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias.

* Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.

* Mid to late April is about the last chance to plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* Transplant lettuce seedlings. Choose varieties that mature quickly such as loose leaf.

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