Wintertime mosquitoes can become annoying in Sutter and Yuba Counties. When we get warm afternoons in January, February and into March, mosquitoes will "wake up" from diapause and look for a bloodmeal. Fortunately disease risk is very low. The mosquito species most active during this time is not a West Nile virus transmitter. This mosquito is difficult to effectively treat however. Making a local insecticide treatment at an individaul home will kill mosquitoes that are present, but as quickly as overnight mosquitoes will fly back in from adjacent areas. After sunset, mosquitoes go back into hiding making a bigger campaign with fogging trucks also ineffective. Some strategies to avoid being bitten include applying a repellant, wearing long sleeves and pants and limiting outdoor activity before and at sunset, when mosquitoes are most active.
