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KAYSVILLE — The near-record heat and high water levels from the snowpack could mean tons more mosquitoes will bug Utahns across the state this summer.
Scott Fidel, with the Davis Mosquito Abatement District, said they are trying to get ahead of the problem with some new technology, including a huge drone.
"The other ones that we have pulled up to 40 pounds, this one can hold up to 110. So, more time in the air, more ground covered," Fidel said.
The district officials said they are going to need the drone, due to Utah having two major water years in a row. This means more wetlands are available for mosquitos to grow.
"A lot of water out of the wetlands. So we have done a tremendous amount of spraying," said Gary Hatch, director at the Davis County Mosquito Abatement District. He said workers are trying to cover as much of those natural breeding grounds as possible. Last May was their third-busiest on record.
Meanwhile, the lab manager, Elizabeth Hart, is taking a close look at what types of larvae are in the wetlands.
"By looking at the species, we can sort of see what's coming," she said.
The district is predicting a worrisome summer season. According to Hatch, the heat is known to raise the number of mosquitoes that carry West Nile Virus.
"We're starting to see our West Nile-carrying mosquitoes. Their numbers are really starting to jump up," Hatch said, adding that the district is preparing its new tools to combat mosquitoes potentially carrying the deadly virus.
"We're spraying about five nights a week, throughout the county," Hatch said.
He said they also have plenty of "mosquito-eating fish" to put in residential ornamental ponds to help combat the mosquito population. "They feed on mosquito larvae."
However, Hatch said, he is worried an early heatwave will likely make the battle against the types of mosquitos known to spread West Nile, a bit tougher.
"This early heat, will definitely get them moving faster. and so it makes it so that they go from a to adult in a lot quicker span of time," he said.
