With all the heavy rain, mosquitoes will undoubtedly be out in full force this summer. The Douglas County Health Department will start monitoring mosquitoes that carry West Nile and the Zika virus this week.
Their traps will go out this week but they are changing some of their technique to watch for the different types of species of mosquito, especially the ones that carry Zika.
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Six new traps have been purchased with grant money.
“This is a very simple trap, it’s not motorized, its three pieces of plastic and netting,” said Dr. Larry Figgs with the health department.
The trap seems simple but they are effective. The inside will be lined with cooking spray to keep the mosquitoes inside and the bottom will have rabbit food and water to attract them.
Dr. Figgs said the traps are for the daytime, unlike their usual evening traps to try and trap the mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus.
They will change the traps every two weeks sending the caught mosquitoes to the state lab to test for species and if they carry any disease.
