Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2020 16:12:50 -0400
From: “N.A. Booko”
Subject: Mosquitoes In March . . .
It came as a shock to me March third when i was bitten by a mosquito. It was quite small and slightly rust colored. Not the usual ‘tiger’ striped type wesee around here.
I thought it was unusually early for them. But the next few days proved to be a real eye opener. I sometimes collect rain water in plastic storage containers. I have never really had a problem with mosquitoes breeding there. But now it is different.
One day about a week ago, I noticed one container was swimming with pupae of mosquito. I needed to use the water the next day, so I left it. The following morning they had all disappeared. Hatched. Lesson learned. It only takes 5-7 days for eggs to become flying insects. And depending on weather, eggs can remain ‘hatchable’ for several months.
Last Wednesday I left the front door slightly ajar for the cats could go in and out on their own. Big, big mistake. That night I got several bites on the fatty underside of my arms. I killed the two involved, but again, these were a rusty brown- not the familiar ‘tiger’ type.
It may have been the type of mosquitoes or maybe my state of health, but these bites were very painful and have not gone away now for five days. There are still hard itchy small bumps.
Be aware that if they are this bad this early, summer promises to be a real festival for mosquitoes.
N.A.
N.A. Booko- Love nature but not all parts of it . . .