The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) have confirmed the second detection of West Nile virus (WNV) in Rhode Island this year, with a mosquito sample collected in Cranston on July 14 testing positive for the virus.
While no additional mosquito samples tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV), or West Nile virus during the latest round of surveillance, state officials continue to rate Rhode Island’s West Nile virus risk as “medium” statewide. The first case of the season was detected in Providence earlier this month.
For homeowners, it’s an important reminder that mosquito season is far from over.
What is West Nile Virus?
West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States. Most people who become infected never develop symptoms, but approximately one in five will experience:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Skin rash
In rare cases, particularly among older adults and those with weakened immune systems, West Nile virus can cause serious neurological illness.
Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile virus in humans, making prevention the best defense.
Mosquitoes Can Breed in Surprisingly Small Amounts of Water
Many homeowners don’t realize that mosquitoes don’t need ponds or marshes to reproduce.
Common backyard breeding sites include:
- Bird baths
- Children’s toys
- Flower pots and saucers
- Clogged gutters
- Buckets
- Tarps
- Wheelbarrows
- Old tires
- Low spots where water collects after rain
Even a bottle cap full of standing water can provide enough moisture for mosquitoes to lay eggs.
Reduce Mosquitoes Around Your Property
Along with eliminating standing water whenever possible, homeowners can reduce mosquito activity by:
- Keeping grass and landscaping maintained
- Trimming dense vegetation where mosquitoes rest during the day
- Cleaning gutters regularly
- Changing bird bath water every few days
- Wearing EPA-approved insect repellent when outdoors
- Limiting outdoor activity around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
Add Another Layer of Protection with SeaScape YardGuard
While reducing breeding sites is an important first step, it isn’t always enough. Mosquitoes can easily fly into your yard from neighboring properties, wooded areas, wetlands, or nearby standing water.
That’s where SeaScape’s YardGuard Mosquito Control Program can help.
Our trained technicians treat the areas where mosquitoes live and rest, helping reduce mosquito populations around your home so you can spend more time enjoying your yard.
Whether you’re hosting cookouts, relaxing on the patio, or watching the kids play outside, YardGuard helps create a more comfortable outdoor environment throughout mosquito season.
Stay Vigilant This Summer
As Rhode Island continues to monitor mosquito populations, the latest West Nile virus detection serves as another reminder that mosquito prevention should remain a priority through the summer and into early fall.
If you’d like to enjoy your outdoor spaces with fewer mosquitoes, contact SeaScape to learn more about our YardGuard Mosquito Control Program and schedule your next treatment.
Learn more: https://seascapeinc.com/yardguard-pest-control/#mosquito
