Let’s make outside fun again

This is the time of year when Long Islanders are focusing on the traditional activities of summer, including an increase in time spent outdoors for everything from barbecues to hiking to athletic events and days at the beach. Every summer, The Mosquito Guy receives thousands of calls about mosquito problems across Long Island neighborhoods. In recent years the mosquitos turn out to be Tiger mosquitos, often found in containers of water on or near residents’ property. Tiger mosquito larva can complete its development into an adult biting mosquito in as little as a tablespoon of water. Tiger mosquito activity increased by 220% between 2010-2012 in Nassau and Suffolk counties, based on figures from both county health departments. Tiger mosquitos are only active during daylight hours, but generally avoid open sunlight. This is a particular problem in neighborhoods that have a lot of shade where the mosquitos usually inhabit the foliage of a bush or shrub, waiting for a person or animal to walk by. Unlike other mosquito species, they are more likely to bite a person on the ankles, and the back sides of arms and legs. Tiger mosquitos are a potential health threat because they can transmit diseases that include West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalitis.