Control district reports spike in calls -- but winter storms this week will bring relief
This is the pest: Culex quinquefasciatus. The bothersome insect has emerged from dormancy thanks to the record warm weather earlier this month. Photo courtesy Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In mid-winter, mosquitos are pestering people throughout the greater Sacramento area.
Wooed out of hibernation by record warm weather, these itty-bitty biters likely were hiding in crevices indoors or near home entries. And they’re very hungry; mosquitoes need a “blood meal” to start their reproductive cycle.
Fortunately, the species we’re seeing now are more pesky, than dangerous.
“These are not the type of mosquitos that carry West Nile,” said Luz Maria Robles, spokeswoman for the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District. “They are more a nuisance and they are coming out of hibernation aggressive and looking to eat.”
Tuesday (Jan. 30), the district reported that mosquito-related calls have spiked during our recent stretch of warm weather. Highs on Sunday and Monday edged into the low 70s – a spring-like wake-up call for mosquitoes.
“This is a typical trend that we see every year when we get a few days of sunny and warm weather,” said Gary Goodman, the vector district’s manager. “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.”
The warm weather tempted more people outside in shorts and short sleeves. That made the mosquitos’ presence all the more obvious – especially near dawn or dusk when the critters are most active.
“Since people are spending more time outside, they are noticing the mosquitoes,” added Goodman.
More than 50 species of mosquitoes inhabit California. Some species may bite mammals and birds as well as people.
District crews have been looking for and inspecting areas where mosquitoes can breed, such as abandoned swimming pools or other places where water can collect, Goodman said.
But relief is on the way. (In fact, it’s already here.)
Although mosquitoes need water, this week’s big storms should give us a break from the bugs. The winter rain – and the return to lower temperatures – will force the mosquitos back into resting mode.
“Luckily, rain is in the forecast for the next few days, so we should get a break,” Goodman said.
That relief could be short-lived. As soon as temperatures start rising again, so will the mosquito bites.
The best defense? Wear long sleeves and long pants while outdoors. In addition, use an effective mosquito repellent that contains DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, says the district.
After the storms, remember to empty any standing water that may have collected around your house in saucers under pots, toys, wheelbarrows or other spots.
To report an infestation or request a home inspection, call 1-800-429-1022.
For more information: www.FIGHTtheBITE.net.
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Garden checklist for week of June 7
Afternoon highs are expected to be back in the mid 90s by midweek, then edging towards triple digits. Plan your planting and garden activities accordingly.
* Remember to water early.
* It’s not too late to transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplant or other summer favorites. Make sure they stay hydrated.
* From seed, plant corn, melons, pumpkins, radishes, squash and sunflowers.
* Plant basil to go with your tomatoes.
* Transplant summer annuals such as petunias, marigolds and zinnias.
* It’s also a good time to transplant perennial flowers including astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia, salvia and verbena.
* Let the grass grow longer. Set the mower blades high to reduce stress on your lawn during summer heat. To cut down on evaporation, water your lawn deeply during the wee hours of the morning, between 2 and 8 a.m.
* Tie up vines and stake tall plants such as gladiolus and lilies. That gives their heavy flowers some support.
* Dig and divide crowded bulbs after the tops have died down.
* Feed summer flowers with a slow-release fertilizer.
* Mulch, mulch, mulch! This “blanket” keeps moisture in the soil longer and helps your plants cope during hot weather.
* Cut back fruit-bearing canes on berries.
* Feed camellias, azaleas and other acid-loving plants. Mulch to conserve moisture and reduce heat stress.
* Cut back Shasta daisies after flowering to encourage a second bloom in the fall.
* Trim off dead flowers from rose bushes to keep them blooming through the summer. Roses also benefit from deep watering and feeding now. A top dressing of aged compost will keep them happy. It feeds as well as keeps roots moist.
* Pinch back chrysanthemums for bushier plants with many more flowers in September.
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Food in My Back Yard (FIMBY) Series
Lessons learned during a year of edible gardening
WINTER
Is edible gardening possible indoors?
Hints for choosing tomato seeds
Why winter is the perfect time to plant fruit trees
When to plant? Consider staggering your transplants
How to squeeze more food into less space
Plant a fruit tree now -- for later
Win the weed war by tackling them in winter
Tips for planting bare-root trees, shrubs and vegetables
Time to give vegetable seedlings some more space
Ways to win the fight against weeds
FALL
Dec. 16: Add asparagus to your edible garden
Dec. 9: Soggy soil and what to do about it
Dec. 2: Plant artichokes now; enjoy for years to come
Nov. 25: It's late November, and your peach tree needs spraying
Nov. 18: What to do with all those fallen leaves?
Nov. 11: Prepare now for colder weather in the edible garden
Nov. 4: Plant a pea patch for you and your garden
Oct. 27: As citrus season begins, advice for backyard growers
Oct. 20: Change is in the autumn air
Oct. 13: We don't talk (enough) about beets
Oct. 6: Fava beans do double duty
Sept. 30: Seeds or transplants for cool-season veggies?
Sept. 23: How to prolong the fall tomato harvest
SUMMER
Sept. 16: Time to shut it down?
Sept. 9: How to get the most out of your pumpkin patch
Sept. 2: Summer-to-fall transition time for evaluation, planning
Aug. 26: To pick or not to pick those tomatoes?
Aug. 19: Put worms to work for you
Aug. 12: Grow food while saving water
Aug. 5: Enhance your food with edible flowers
July 29: Why won't my tomatoes turn red?
July 22: A squash plant has mosaic virus, and it's not pretty
July 15: Does this plant need water?
July 8: Tear out that sad plant or baby it? Midsummer decisions
July 1: How to grow summer salad greens
June 24: Weird stuff that's perfectly normal
SPRING
June 17: Help pollinators help your garden
June 10: Battling early-season tomato pests
June 3: Make your own compost
May 27: Where are the bees when you need them?
May 20: How to help tomatoes thrive on hot days
May 13: Your plants can tell you more than any calendar can
May 6: Maintain soil moisture with mulch for garden success
April 29: What's (already) wrong with my tomato plants?
April 22: Should you stock up on fertilizer? (Yes!)
April 15: Grow culinary herbs in containers
April 8: When to plant summer vegetables
April 1: Don't be fooled by these garden myths
March 25: Fertilizer tips: How to 'feed' your vegetables for healthy growth
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