West Nile Virus Surged Early This Year: How to Stay Protected

West Nile Virus Prevention 101: How to Prevent Mosquito Bites

If you feel like you’ve been swatting at more mosquitoes than usual this year, it’s probably not your imagination. Warmer temperatures mean mosquito season starts earlier and hits harder.

Unfortunately, that means we’re also seeing the West Nile virus surging earlier than it has in decades. And these numbers have people across North America thinking about mosquito control and protecting their families.

Here’s what you need to know.

What Is West Nile Virus?

Let’s start with the very basics. The West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne virus in North America.

It is most commonly spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, and unfortunately, there is no licensed vaccine at the moment. Your best bet remains good old-fashioned mosquito protection tactics.

While it is possible to have the virus and show no symptoms at all, serious cases can also lead to severe illness that affects the central nervous system or even death!

Why West Nile Virus Activity Matters This Season

Changing weather patterns over the last year have given us warmer and more humid summers. This is combined with higher levels of humidity and more rain, which leads to more standing water and wet soil. This means mosquitoes have access to more ideal breeding grounds and are reproducing at a higher rate.

This also means that mosquito season is starting sooner and extending later in many communities across North America.

As we’ve mentioned before, this is also creating higher tick numbers, and homeowners need to be more diligent than ever when it comes to safeguarding against the threats in their yard.

How Does West Nile Virus Spread?

How do you contract West Nile virus? In most cases, you get infected through a bite from an infected female mosquito.

Is West Nile virus contagious? Not really. Human bodies don’t develop high enough levels of the virus to spread it, although it is possible for a mother to pass the West Nile virus during pregnancy or through breast milk. And mosquitoes typically get the West Nile virus from feeding on an infected bird, not by biting an infected human.

What Are the Symptoms of West Nile Virus?

In many cases, the symptoms can be very mild or nonexistent.

The first symptoms of West Nile virus may include:

• Flu-like symptoms that can be mistaken for a summer cold

• Fever and headache

• Body aches and/or joint pain

• Upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea

• Skin rash

• Fatigue and low energy
  
  

The good news is that only roughly one in 150 people will show any symptoms at all, and only about 20% of people who become infected will become seriously ill and show more severe symptoms that may include:

• A much higher fever

• Headache

• Neck stiffness and muscle weakness

• Disorientation and confusion
  
  

In the most serious cases, these symptoms may last for months, or may even become permanent.

How is West Nile virus diagnosed?

If the symptoms of West Nile are so similar to the flu, how are you supposed to know if you’re infected? Good question. 

The only way to know for sure (and if other steps are required) is to have your healthcare provider run a blood test to check for antibodies to the West Nile virus. 

It’s also possible they perform a lumbar puncture/spinal tap to test your cerebrospinal fluid for signs of infection.

How to Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

One of the first things you can do is cover yourself and family members during peak mosquito times, or when you plan to be outside for a long period of time:

• Wear long sleeves, pants, or a hat

• Try to avoid the colours red, orange, black, cyan (green/blue)

• Be diligent about bug spray use
  
  

Also be strategic about where and when you use your BBQ, as the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) it throws off will attract more mosquitoes.

How to Reduce Mosquito Breeding Around Your Home

The best thing you can do is reduce the number of mosquitoes buzzing around your yard by removing the things that attract mosquitoes and the places they breed.

Seek out and remove any standing water

Mosquitoes can breed in a space as small as a bottle cap full of rainwater.

This means you need to stay on top of water collected in:

• Buckets

• Flowerpots and planters

• Empty cans of any kind

• Trash cans and recycling bins

• Old tires or anything made of rubber that can collect water
  
  

Don’t forget to drain your swimming pool covers while staying on top of cleaning and chlorinating your pools, saunas, or hot tubs.

Why DIY Prevention May Not Be Enough

You can do all the right things and still end up struggling with a mosquito-infested yard. And it’s not your fault. There are a million of them and only one of you.

If you’re experiencing ongoing issues despite your best efforts, you don’t need to simply accept that’s how it is. Too many people just concede that they can’t use their yard most of the time.

Experienced and professional mosquito control can help you take your yard back!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the first symptoms of West Nile virus?

In the early stages, you may feel like you’re getting the flu with symptoms like: 

• Headache and Fever 

• Body aches all over and possible joint pain

• Skin rash

• Stomach ache, vomiting, or diarrhea

• Fatigue and low energy
  
  

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you should talk to your trusted medical professional about a blood test before symptoms worsen.

Is West Nile virus contagious?

The good news is that no, the West Nile virus is not contagious from human-to-human contact. 

In fact, mosquitoes don’t even get West Nile from humans. They typically pick up the virus from eating infected birds.

Can you get West Nile virus from every mosquito bite?

No, you cannot. You can only contract the West Nile virus from bites from infected females. This happens to fewer than 1 in 150 people.

How can I prevent mosquito bites at home?

Your best bet is to reduce the mosquito population around your yard as much as possible by removing the standing water you may find in:

• Flowerpots

• Kitty pools

• Hot tub or pool covers

• Rain gutters

• Standing puddles on the lawn
  
  

You also want to be strategic about how you barbecue, because mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that it emits.

Does standing water attract mosquitoes?

Yes! This is the biggest mosquito magnet in your yard.

This is where mosquitoes flock to so they can breed, and they can breed in an amount of water small enough to fill a bottle cap.

Can Professional Mosquito Control Eliminate West Nile Virus Risk?

We can help you protect your family and safeguard your property! The experienced professionals at Mosquito Hero can help you take back your yard and reclaim your summer evenings outside.

“I love this company. Great customer service and results. Using a Mosquito Hero program means I can enjoy being outside all summer and it also protects my dog. The price is very competitive and the technicians are fast and professional. Absolutely recommend.” A 5-Star Google review.

You can start right now by getting a free quote for your yard.