Bugging out in the Five Towns

Though many Five Towns residents enjoyed this year’s mild winter, they’ll be paying for it as the mosquito population is expected to be worse than ever this summer.

Michael Deutsch, an urban entomologist from the Lynbrook-based Arrow Exterminating Company, Inc., said water freezes during a normal winter and mosquito eggs die but the mild winter did not allow that to happen this year. “Typically the population is managed when eggs die in freezing temperatures,” he said. “But whatever eggs were laid were never exposed to freezing temperatures so a lot more survived.”

According to Deutsch over the past few months there have been several weeks of no rain followed by weeks of downpours that have stimulated mosquito eggs to hatch. “They need water to survive,” he said. “A lot more have survived and were able to get to the adult stage earlier rather than later.”

Miriam Herman, a 35-year Woodmere resident, said the mosquito problem has gotten progressively worse over the years. “We’re getting bit left and right,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if there’s standing water and none of the over the counter things work.”

Herman said the mosquitoes have affected her family’s summer plans already. “It’s not enjoyable to go out, especially at night,” she said. “We’re going to be staying inside because I’m afraid of West Nile virus and I don’t want my kids to get bit.”

To deter the mosquitoes, Deutsch said residents should remove standing water from their property, including changing the water in any birdbaths once a week and removing water from the top of pool covers. “If there are any artificial containers such as children’s toys or flowerpots, they tend to fill with rainwater so it’s important to turn them upside down,” he said. “Also, make sure screens are in good shape and use yellow colored light bulbs because they tend to not attract as many insects as white bulbs.”

Deutsch also recommends using a fan, on a low or medium speed setting, when residents are sitting outside as mosquitoes can’t fly against air currents, and to use bug repellents and citronella candles. “Fans will create just enough air pressure to keep mosquitoes away,” he said. “Citronella candles are most effective when you put them away from where people are sitting as the smoke will irritate insects.”

Valerie Hooper, a 12-year Inwood resident, said she and her husband, Steve, spray insect repellent in their yard and on themselves to deter mosquitoes but they haven’t been bothered by any recently. “The past several years it’s been bad, usually at the end of June and July,” she said. “But I haven’t gotten a mosquito bite yet.”

In order to effectively tend to the mosquito problem, Deutsch said communities have to band together as insects travel from yard to yard. “I would start with a block association or community group so all residents can be given suggestions on how to prevent mosquito breeding,” he said. “The most control will have to be a community-wide effort.”