Warm Weather is Here
and So Are the Insects

Mosquitoes With July coming upon us soon and while most people are thinking about barbecuing and fireworks, rainfall over recent weeks is a good reminder to think about mosquitoes and protecting not only ourselves but also pets.  In 2013, we had 13 veterinary cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in a cluster of six southeastern counties.  Eight of those cases occurred from July through early August.  Brunswick County recorded the first case (confirmed in mid-July), Cumberland County led the way with six cases, and Pender County had three.   In 2012, Cumberland and Brunswick County recorded the only cases, but they were recorded closer to September.  What this tells us is that we can't predict where and when the disease might occur. Horse owners may want to check their inoculation records to make sure that their horses' inoculations are still effective (which they should be if the horses were inoculated in the spring).  But remember that a booster inoculation is important about six months later. Despite the name, the disease affects not just horses but people as well.   Unlike some other disease-causing viruses of medical importance, you can't get EEE from contact with an infected person or horse.   Mosquitoes become infected when they bite an infected bird, and those mosquito species then feed on other birds which increases the reservoir of virus in the bird population during the course of the summer.  Other mosquito species acquire the virus when they bite infected birds and then act as "bridges" by passing the virus to horses or people on whom they subsequently feed and which then become infected. Children and the elderly are the biggest concern, so everyone should take appropriate protective measures and use insect repellents (see http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/repellents.htm).     We still recommend the usual measures of emptying rain-filled containers and other objects as well as unclogging gutters, drainage ditches, etc.  However, mosquitoes that can transmit EEE will also breed in flood waters and salt marshes, and for that reason, personal protection is critical. Many of these mosquitoes are active at dawn and dusk, so altering our activity times can help (but are not a guarantee against mosquito bites).  Again, we also urge horse owners to consult with the veterinarian about vaccinating their animals against these mosquito-borne diseases. People with dogs that spend a great deal of time outdoors need to make sure they are keeping up their pet's monthly medications, since some of the same mosquito species that are increasing in numbers can also transmit dog heartworm. Mosquito Control information is located at: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/mosquito.htm Paper Wasps Overwintering paper wasps (Polistes) queens are starting to become active.  Many of them have been passing the winter in wall voids, attics, and crawlspaces.  As a result, some of the wasps may stray indoors accidentally, but don't assume there is a nest in the wall, attic, or crawlspace.  They are usually slow moving (you would be too if you had slept all winter!)  and they're not aggressive, because these are not workers defending a nest.  So they are an easy target for a rolled-up newspaper, which is far safer than unloading a can of insecticide spray on them... and yourself and everything else in your house.  Foggers ("total release aerosols") are not affective and potentially hazardous. Those wasps that make it to the great outdoors will often be seen hovering near chimneys and other vertical objects.  The wasps are busy scoping out perspective nesting sites.  In most cases, they are too high up to make any sensible (i.e., "safe and effective") attempt at chemical control.  However, they would an easy target should you decide it's time to pressure-wash the siding on your house. With the early nests, there will only be few workers.  So the likelihood of getting stung is minimal. People who are very concerned about getting stung can spray any nest with one of those aerosol wasp and hornet sprays that propels the chemical about 15-20 feet.   But reminder - these wasps are actually beneficial and eat caterpillars and other insects that would likely be chomping down on the flower or vegetable garden later in the year.  For more information, click on the link below: http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/paperwasp.htm Carpenter Bees  It's finally (really) spring and a male carpenter bee's thoughts are turning to finding the girl bee of his dreams.  So right now you'll see the males buzzing about.  Carpenter bees do look like bumble bees but lack the yellow hairs on their abdomens.  You can actually identify the males, because they're often hovering in areas and you can see a white-colored spot on the middle of the face.  The males can buzz people sitting on benches, porches, etc., but they're harmless (male bees do not have stingers).  The males do not make galleries (drilling holes for the developing eggs) either.  When the lady bees make their appearance, they'll mate with the males, and then the females will excavate new galleries or possibly use an existing one (which is another reason to seal up the old ones). There are no magic bullets that are truly effective to stop the bees from drilling holes. We have information online at:  http://insects.ncsu.edu/Urban/carpenterbees.htm Information provided by: Michael Waldvogel, PhD Extension Associate Professor and Specialist, Structural and Industrial Pests North Carolina State University Department of Entomology