Mosquito Monitoring Continues

Exeter, NH - August 2nd, 2024: July was officially the second hottest on record here in New Hampshire, and while the summer heat has been downright unbearable for some folks, it has helped to keep our local mosquito population down, at least for the first half of the season.

Health Officer Madison Bailey joined the crew from Northeast Vegetation & Mosquito Control to check out the area of Larry Lane this week as this is typically a breeding ground for mosquitoes due to its damp nature. However, the area was quite dry.

Northeast Vegetation & Mosquito Control, the town’s mosquito control contractor, treated many of the large cattail marshes in early July as they hatched and the shrinking numbers show strong control in these areas. 

In its July update, the company reported that spring mosquito pools have continued to stay dry and larvae free despite the occasional rain we’ve experienced this summer. Flooded areas following rainstorms are drying quickly. Mosquito breeding in catch basins has been low, with light trap collections reflecting this as well. 

Fortunately, through routine trapping and testing, no mosquito pools from Exeter have tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, or Jamestown Canyon Virus.

It’s important to keep in mind that the mosquito season typically worsens later in August and into September as the mosquitoes that are still alive are considered “elders” and are more likely to carry disease. 

For additional information from Northeast Vegetation & Mosquito Control and the latest New Hampshire Arbovirus Surveillance Bulletin from the N.H. Division of Public Health Services, visit the links in the Supporting Documents section at the bottom of this page.