Asian Tiger Mosquitoes Return To Local Neighborhood
WEST MIFFLIN (KDKA) -- Nasty little mosquitoes have resurfaced in one part of West Mifflin.
Bill Todaro, entomologist from the Allegheny County Health Department, says the Asian Tiger Mosquito was detected in both West Mifflin and the Strip District last Summer.
Steps were taken to get rid of them, but they're back in the Homeville section of West Mifflin.
Traps were set up Wednesday to collect the white-striped insects to try to find what illnesses they might be carrying.
Todaro says they're a particular concern because they bite during the day unlike regular mosquitoes and because they can carry a variety of diseases.
He says they've been known to spread West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever and more. However, Todaro says the ones in our area are likely not carrying all of those.
Despite spraying and an effort to educate people about eliminating standing water where the mosquitoes breed, they're back.
He says there have been unconfirmed reports of the Asian Tiger Mosquito in two other areas of the county, but it was confirmed last month that they had indeed returned to West Mifflin.
Todaro urges people to clean up or empty items such as tires or children's swimming pools which may collect water.
Caren McCann who lives in West Mifflin says she can't go outside in her side yard because the Asian Tiger Mosquitoes are constantly there. She has bite marks on her ankle.
Todaro says mosquitoes in general are worse this year because of all the wet weather we've had and that mosquitoes will continue to be a problem until we have some good frosts.
RELATED LINKS
Allegheny County Health Department
National Invasive Species Information Center: Asian Tiger Mosquito
