Mosquitoes in Iowa more annoyance than danger

Mosquitoes are an inevitable and highly annoying part of each summer. This year in particular, they're getting more attention, thanks to their role in spreading the Zika virus throughout South- and Central America and the Caribbean.

While there are no cases of Zika virus - which causes sickness with symptoms like fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes - being acquired within the United States thus far, doctors are cautioning women of childbearing age to be aware of the dangers of mosquito bites.

TRAVEL THREAT

Dr. Jason Rexroth, a physician with OB/GYN Specialists in Cedar Rapids, said patients have called with travel-related concerns.

'It is up to them if they decide to visit locations where Zika virus has been confirmed,” he said. 'But we make sure they are aware that the CDC and World Health Organization have strongly associated Zika virus with microcephaly, which does affect pregnancy, and that travel is not advised.”

The Zika virus is especially dangerous for women of childbearing age who are pregnant or considering pregnancy because of the link to microcephaly, a serious birth defect that causes an abnormally small head and incomplete brain development. He said even women who are not pregnant should be on some form of birth control if traveling to Zika-affected areas.

'If you are planning to attend the Olympics it may be a problem,” Rexroth said. 'But the fact that there are no acquired cases in the United States, that all cases so far have been those having traveled to the affected areas, means local women shouldn't worry. And there's no reason to change your summer travel plans within the United States. If you planned a trip to Disney World there is no reason to cancel the trip.”

IOWA THREAT

Donald Lewis, professor of entomology at Iowa State University, agreed that Iowans shouldn't let mosquito concerns get out of control this summer.

'For Iowans who stay in Iowa but who work and play outdoors, mosquito-borne diseases like Zika virus, dengue fever and West Nile virus are not our problem,” he said. 'For us here in Iowa, it's more the annoyance of biting.”

Lewis said that Iowa State University, with help from the Iowa Department of Public Health, has done mosquito surveillance since 1960 - tracking, identifying and counting mosquitoes around the sate.

'In early 2016, the population is much higher than where it started in 2015,” he said. 'So if people are only comparing one year back, the mosquito population is off to a faster start this year. But as we look at the longer-term trend, it's the middle of the summer when we worry the most about the increase in our mosquito population.”

Lewis noted that most people are familiar with the fact that mosquitoes need to have standing water in order to reproduce, because that is where the larva live and grow.

'So without standing water we don't get mosquitoes,” he said. 'But if we get the double whammy of warm temperatures and steady periodic rainfall in the coming weeks, the mosquito population could explode.”

CONTROL MEASURES

He advised several steps for homeowners to help control the population.

'Iowans should avoid raising their own homegrown mosquitoes, and they do that by eliminating standing water on their property,” Lewis said. 'No tires or buckets left to accumulate water in the yard. And rinse and drain birdbaths and wading pools periodically. Fill or drain any low-lying wet spots where water can sit for a week or more. This applies to people on an acreage, as well. By eliminating standing water you can help prevent mosquitoes from breeding.”

Lewis noted that spraying or fogging your backyard will use a lot of insecticide for little benefit, and you may harm other pollinators like bees and butterflies. If you do use insecticide, he said to aim for mosquito resting sites like flower beds, shrubs and areas of dense vegetation.

'For most gardeners and outdoor sports enthusiasts, the practical approach is to use repellent,” he said, noting that it requires some consideration and even research to find one that will meet your needs.

REPELLENTS

'One consideration is how long you need the repellent to last,” he said. 'If you are going to be fishing in the swamp all day, you need a long-lasting repellent so that you can put it on once and be done. If you are going to be in the backyard for 20 minutes to pick tomatoes, you can get by with a very short-acting repellent.”

Long-acting repellents - like DEET, Picaridin and lemon eucalyptus oil - can be effective for several hours. Low-concentration repellents and those made from essential oils are the shortest lasting products, and need to be reapplied hourly or more often if you are going to be outside for a long time.

'There's been a lot of fascination and attention given to natural repellents like cedar, lemongrass, geranium and peppermint,” he said, 'but they can sometimes last only a matter of minutes before the effectiveness is gone.”

Lewis said the key is to use the lowest concentration of repellent that will provide adequate protection for the time you'll be out.

Perhaps Lewis' best advice is to not let mosquitoes ruin your summer.

'Don't let mosquitoes keep you and your children from being outdoors and enjoying your garden or other outdoor sports and activities,” he said. 'Being with nature is an important part of being an Iowan, so don't the mosquitoes keep you from that.”