Mosquito season approaching, county health warns against standing water as key breeding space

Have you seen mosquitoes yet? More to the point, have you heard them?

Because by the time you do, you’re probably already swatting.

More of that likely this year in La Crosse County, as it cut back to focus on controlling populations of only those mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus and La Crosse Encephalitis.

“One of these kinds breeds in tree holes and tires and small containers and the other in catch basins and ditches and also in containers,” La Crosse County health director Jen Rombalski said. “So, we’re looking at specific breeding areas.”

Beyond those efforts, the county is relying on residence controlling their environment.

“We’re really relying now on residence to know what’s in your yard and to make sure you don’t have water standing for more than three days,” Rombalski said.