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All of God’s creatures serve a purpose here on earth. It’s that whole circle-of-life thing.
But we’re still trying to figure out what purpose mosquitoes serve, other than to drive the other circle-of-life critters crazy swatting, swearing and scratching.
If that were the only damage mosquitoes did, we could abide them as we abide other relatively innocuous pests. However, like tax collectors and attorneys, mosquitoes can do damage that runs more than skin deep.
The mosquito’s sting is associated with — among other maladies — malaria, encephalitis, yellow fever and West Nile Virus. All can be fatal, and the last is a serious concern for local health officials.
Though no mosquitoes carrying West Nile have been found this year in Madison County, they have been detected in nearby Hamilton and Marion counties. And the chances of finding them here have increased as the blood-sucker population has shot up.
Health Administrator Steve Ford called the population of Culex mosquitoes in Madison County “huge.”
“Literally thousands of this species are being captured in just one evening during our regular collections,” Ford said this week.
No matter how much officials spray and no matter how many Citronella candles you put out, the mosquitoes will find you this summer, especially if you’re outdoors in early morning or late evening. Midday, not so much. Like vampires, mosquitoes don’t do so well in the sun.
Commonsense, as it is in most situations, is the best guide to avoiding mosquitoes. Stay indoors during prime mosquito time when you can. Otherwise, wear long pants and long sleeves and apply insect repellent according to directions.
Also, remove from your property items like old tires or buckets that collect water and provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris and fill in areas on the ground where water stands.
Owners of outdoor dogs, of course, must be careful to protect their animals from heartworm, transmitted by mosquitoes, by following a veterinarian’s prescribed treatment.
You can also be an ally of your friendly neighborhood bats, who feast on mosquitoes and thin their ranks more effectively than the most advanced spraying program.
While God has not made the usefulness of mosquitoes known to our feeble minds, it is abundantly clear that they will survive — and they will feast on the unwary.
Opinion
Editorial: Local bloodsuckers feast on the unwary
Mosquito population in Madison County "huge"
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