Bug Watch '07
Out with the eco-friendly insect spray: Austin issues a mosquito warning.
By Richard Whittaker, 1:28PM, Mon. Jul. 23, 2007
There's good news and bad news for entomologists (that's bug watchers to the rest of us). With the warm, wet summer, there's lot of insects around.
Good News: There's bumper populations of dragon flies to see in the day, and fireflies at night. Also, the moisture means lots of late-blooming flowers, which means lots of butterflies.
Bad News: The dank and moist weather is ideal for mosquitoes, and some of them carry West Nile Virus. So the city of Austin is advocating the four D's:
– Dusk to Dawn - try to stay indoors during daylight, when mosquitoes are most likely to be out and biting.
– Dress - try to stay covered up.
– DEET - apply insect repellent with DEET in it.
– Drain - try not to have any still or stagnant water around. That's where mosquitoes like to make more mosquitoes.
Good News: Only 1% of mosquitoes tested in the state carry West Nile Virus, and only 1% of bites from infected mosquitoes result in infections.
Bad News: Mosquito bites still really itch.
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Bonny Chu, Nov. 30, 2018
Richard Whittaker, Oct. 7, 2015
May 23, 2025
Environment, Mosquitoes, Dragonflies, Fireflies, West Nile Virus
