This really bites!

Currently, local meteorologists are calling for rain chances deep into the coming week.
And that means more problems with Louisiana’s well-known pest, the mosquito.
“It’s at a higher level than normal,” said Glenn Stokes, owner and CEO of Mosquito Control Contractors, Inc. MCCI provides the parish’s mosquito control services.
“We are seeing an increased number of mosquitoes, but we are countering with an increased number of spraying. We are seeing results.”
Stokes explained that the spraying has jumped to seven days per week since the rain storms moved in on a constant basis in April.
The area, which averages roughly 60 inches of rain per year is well on pace to exceed the average (already exceeding it in some places), and with all that rain, standing water has become prevalent. That, in turn, has given mosquitoes their pick of breeding grounds this year.
Stokes commented that Acadia finds itself in a “very enviable position” compared to other parishes in Acadiana. It has prepared itself with the capabilities of spraying 10 zones per night if necessary and recently made sure that the parish’s early warning system of mosquito-borne illnesses was top notch.
The parish now has 21 sentinel chickens that are tested weekly for diseases. They are placed at the borders of the parish as well as strategic points within the parish boundaries. Coupled with other surveillance, Stokes and MCCI are keeping close tabs on Acadia.
And, while there isn’t much that can be done about the rain, local residents are reminded to get rid of any standing water they can, when they can. They are also reminded to protect themselves whenever they are outside by doing the following:
• Wear a mosquito repellent each time you go outside. Recommended: one that contains DEET (no more than 30 percent DEET when used on children). Often, insect repellants are not recommended for children younger than 2 months old.
• Avoid outdoor activities from dusk to dawn – the time when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants, when possible, and avoid dark colors.
• Avoid perfumes and colognes when outdoors for extended periods of time.
To further protect yourself, take the fight to mosquitoes by repairing windows and door screens to keep the bugs out of your house; use an insecticide to spray areas of thick vegetation in your landscape; remove debris from your yard; and mow grass regularly and keep shrubbery trimmed.
For more information on how to battle mosquitoes, visit dhh.louisiana.gov/fightthebite or http://www.buzzoffmosquitolouisiana.com/.
Also, if someone notices a problem with mosquitoes in their area, they are urged to call the parish’s mosquito control office at 785-4456.
That number can also be used by those who fear that they have found a bird killed by West Nile. Those birds should be double ziplocked – without being touched – and stored in a freezer until they can be tested.