Yards Needed for West Nile Virus Mosquito Surveillance

The DC Department of Health (DOH) needs volunteers from each ward to offer their yards for mosquito traps for the mosquito surveillance program.

The program's goal is to "proactively address any risk of West Nile virus through mammal, avian, human and mosquito surveillance for the public health and safety of residents and visitors," according to a DOH email.

If you volunteer your yard, you can expect visits twice a week, once to set the trap and another day to collect the mosquitoes.

According to a DOH email, the best sites for the collection have the following attributes:

• Accessible from the back or the side of the house
• Some shade
• Near a stream, vacant property, plant overgrowth, neglected area
• Fenced property for trap safety from vandalism
• Preferably no dogs using the yard

The mosquitoes are sorted by species and submit to the DC Public Health laboratory for testing each week.

Over the weekend, the Glover Park listserv was buzzing with discussion about dead and sick birds in the area of Fulton and 39th Streets. One resident reported an ailing bird to animal control, but she had not checked on the bird's West Nile status. Just the same another resident recommended using mosquito "dunks" in drains and to search out standing water that might attract the insect.

Glover Park Hardware carries pack of six mosquito dunks for $14.99 and currently has many packs in stock.

If you would like to volunteer your yard for the surveillance program, you may contact Maria Hille, the program manager in animal disease control (202) 535 -1952 or maria.hille@dc.gov.