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Mosquito Surveillance

Surveillance

Mosquito surveillance is the most important factor in a successful mosquito control program. Inspection of breeding sites to evaluate control measures and the population of adult mosquitoes are monitored constantly. All adult mosquitoes collected are identified by species, sorted into pools, and then sent to a lab to be tested for the presence of Western Equine Encephalitis and the West Nile Virus.

Example of C02 light trap.

A white tray filled with a large pile of tiny black insects on a table with a green marker nearby.

Dry ice is placed in the basket to attract mosquitoes. A small fan blows them into the net trapping them.

A black and white device hanging in the forest surrounded by green foliage and grass.

This is a dipper cup of mosquito larvae.

A white pan with small worms or larvae inside, lying on muddy ground with some grass around.

Adult mosquitoes are examined under a microscope to determine the species. Once determined the mosquitoes are separated into pools of 50 mosquitoes and sent to the lab for testing.

A person is using a microscope at a desk with a computer, red cup, clipboard, and papers on a corkboard in the background.

Birds are collected by field techs and tested as well. The birds mouths are swabbed and specimens are sent to the lab to be tested for the presence of West Nile Virus.

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