The mosquitoes are here, and have been for awhile.
It was the mild winter and wet spring that caused the biting bugs to appear earlier than normal this year. And with the buggers, comes the West Nile virus.
The first mosquito tested positive for the virus in Bucks County on June 14, in Bristol Township.
Last year, the first mosquito in the county tested positive on June 28, according to Amanda Witman of the Department of Environmental Protection.
She said the virus typically emerges in mid-June but across the state this year it showed up earlier.
The first mosquito in Pennsylvania to test positive for the virus was on May 3.
A higher number of mosquitoes are around in general, not just infected ones this year, according to DEP.
A total of 158 mosquitoes were trapped and tested for West Nile virus in the county so far this year, according to the agency’s website. Four mosquitoes in two different species — culex pipens and culex restuans — tested positive.
Three of the insects with positive results were found in Bristol Township. The other one came from Haycock, according to the Pennsylvania West Nile Virus Control Program.
In 2011, 486 mosquitoes were tested and 37 were positive for the virus in the county. One human case was reported in Bucks County last year, but none so far this year, according to the program.
to read more go to: http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/mosquitoes-are-bugging-us-early-this-year/article_88ad90ee-7081-5feb-9057-3b16531a6790.html
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