MOSQUITO COUNTS - Mosquito counts seem to be coming down fairly dramatically during the past week, though there are still pockets where they gather.  Areas along the river remain our "hottest" and probably always will.  Our trapping results in town are indicating that there are some areas that provide good resting habitat for mosquitoes, and they may collect there in greater numbers even though we can't find one major breeding site nearby.  Unfortunately, in this hot, dry climate, mosquitoes tend to like what we like - cool, moist, shady areas protected from direct sunlight and gusty breezes.  If you are blessed with a green thumb and have created such a habitat, you will probably have more mosquitoes than your neighbors who have xeriscaped (or neglected) their yards.  As these habitats draw mosquitoes from surrounding areas, they may be good places for traps, which will at least kill some of the adults and prevent them from breeding.  Take care to canvas your area for standing water, and use repellent while gardening.  If mosquitoes are resting under your lush leaves, disturbing them can expose you to their bites even in the daytime.

WEST NILE VIRUS - As of August 21, there were 31 confirmed cases of West Nile Fever, Meningitis, or Encephalitis in Colorado.  The closest cases to us are the one in Mesa County reported two weeks ago and one in Gunnison County.  As of August 20, no Western Slope mosquitoes have been found to have the virus.  The CDPHE site now has an interactive map of trapping results that shows clearly where WNV has been found and where it hasn't.  New cases of West Nile diseases will probably continue to be identified through the end of September, as it takes several weeks to go through the process of confirmation.  Please continue to use care when going out between dusk and dawn especially - wear long sleeves and pants and use repellent.

FOGGING - Regularly scheduled fogging operations have been discontinued for the season as of August 22.  With the mosquito numbers down and no detectable virus in the area, we cannot justify the cost (estimated at $2300 per week when in full swing).  We will continue to trap and monitor adult populations and will respond to a large outbreak with adulticiding if necessary.  During the off-season, Board Members and consultants will be evaluating the data we have gathered this season to begin planning for the next season.  One conclusion being reached by many, including former Board Members, is that the system of off/on fogging within an infested area (due to honoring people's preferences) is ineffective at best.  Even if all citizens in an area wish to be fogged, all areas with mosquitoes can't be reached from a truck-mounted sprayer, allowing neighboring reservoirs of untouched mosquitoes to repopulate the fogged areas within a few days.  Getting them where they breed and before they emerge as adults remains the most effective method of control.