Mosquitoes & more: Big Country workshop focuses on disease-carrying pests
The agriculture industry is facing many challenges. While weather and the lack of moisture play a large factor in those challenges right now, farmers and ranchers' concerns also encompass pest insects and their effect on the wellness of their crops and livestock. Because of this, the Taylor County Ag Extension Office hosted experts from around the state to give a Vector Control Workshop.
Big Country cotton industry faces closures amid shrinking profits, labor shortages + more
'Vector control' describes a strategy to eradicate pest animals or insects to prevent the spread of the diseases they carry. City officials, forest service workers, and even private individuals came from across the state to learn the ins and outs of pest population control, and Professor of Extension Entomologist at Texas A&M University, Dr. Sonja Swiger, spoke about this workshop's main focus.
'We want them to be knowledgeable when it comes to using their pesticides, and that's why they're here, mostly so that they can be trained properly in that. But we also want them to be educated in what they're trying to approach with the pesticide usage,' Swiger shared. 'We try to make sure that they're aware of why they're doing their job, why they're out there controlling those mosquitoes, and why that's important.'
While the workshop discusses a wide variety of pest insects, such as fleas, ticks, and certain fly species, the participants say their main concerns are mosquitoes, and Swiger highlights the key diseases they are most concerned with.
'West Nile is always our issue. That is an annual thing. Since it arrived, it's been every year, but we also watch other viruses. The Dengue virus is one that comes up through the tropics. That can be a concern in the United States. A couple of years ago, Malaria was a concern as well. So, we watch all of them, but West Nile is our main focus,' Swiger explained.
Big Country mosquito season: Why you might get fewer bites this year
The workshop also provides certification for individuals in the use of specific pesticides to combat these insects. Representatives from various city municipalities attended, and the hours spent in these classes contribute to maintaining their certifications for handling these pesticides. However, these certifications are not solely for those who operate within a large organization or governing agency.
Monty Moeller is a farmer in the northern region of Big Country who utilizes this class as a cost-saving strategy. Moeller explains that due to the drought conditions faced by farmers in recent years, they have been struggling to cover expenses, such as hiring third-party services to apply specialized pesticides in their fields. To counter these rising costs, Moeller has obtained the necessary certifications to use certain pesticides himself, eliminating the need to outsource this task at a higher price.
'I have a private applicators license where I can apply chemicals that are restricted use to the farm and ranch. It's been tough. It's been really tough. So, they have to cut corners where they can. So, if they can apply their own chemicals, that saves them some money,' Moeller said.
Noticing more mosquitoes? Abilene expert explains how to keep them away
Due to those same drought conditions, the Big Country will likely see a delay in the mosquito season, but Swiger went on to say that when it does eventually hit, measures like spraying pesticides will still need to be taken in order to fight the risks these disease-carrying insects can spread throughout our area.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
World's deadliest animal is probably outside your Florida home right now. Protection tips
What's the world's most dangerous animal? Hint: It's plentiful in Florida and no, it's not an alligator, shark or python. According to the Centers for Disease Control the deadliest animal in the world is the mosquito. "The mosquito kills more people than any other creature in the world," the CDC said, noting the flying nuisance spreads such diseases as malaria, dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya. The Florida Department of Health said there are 80 types of mosquitoes in the state, many of which transmit diseases. The agency tracks mosquito-borne illnesses — known as arboviruses — acquired locally and those contracted by people with a history of travel. Here's what you should know, including how you can protect yourself and your family. Mosquito-borne illnesses confirmed in Florida so far this year The latest report from the Florida Department of Health has confirmed the following cases of mosquito-borne illnesses in the state between Jan. 1 through Aug. 2: West Nile Virus: 5 asymptomatic blood donors Escambia: 5 Chikungunya: 4 cases in those with travel history Broward: 2 Lake: 1 Miami-Dade: 1 Dengue: 122 cases in those with travel history; 7 cases in non-Florida residents Bay: 1 Brevard: 2 Broward: 10 Clay: 1 Collier: 2 Duval: 3 Escambia: 1 Hillsborough: 6 Lake: 3 Lee: 4 Manatee: 1 Marion: 1 Miami-Dade: 63 Okeechobee: 3 Orange: 6 Osceola: 2 Palm Beach; 5 Pasco: 1 Pinellas: 3 Polk: 1 St. Johns: 1 St. Lucie: 1 Volusia: 1 Denque acquired in Florida: 8 cases Brevard: 6 Miami-Dade: 2 Malaria: 28 cases in those with travel history; 9 in non-Florida residents Alachua: 1 Brevard: 1 Broward: 3 Collier: 1 Duval: 1 Hillsborough: 1 Lake: 1 Marion: 2 Miami-Dade: 4 Nassau: 2 Orange: 3 Palm Beach: 3 Polk: 2 St. Lucie: 2 Volusia: 1 What mosquito-borne diseases are tracked in Florida? The Florida Department of Health tracks travel- and locally acquired cases of the followed mosquito-borne diseases: West Nile fever and West Nile encephalitis Eastern equine encephalitis virus St. Louis encephalitis virus Dengue virus Chikungunya virus Zika virus California encephalitis group viruses Malaria Florida has more than 80 types of mosquitoes. Here are 5 'most wanted' The Florida Department of Health said there are more than 80 different species of mosquitoes in Florida, compared to about 3,500 species in the world. While not all of them cause disease, here are five the agency lists as "Florida's most wanted": Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito Larvae are found in water-holding objects found around the home and yard, such as flower vases, tires, toys, bottles, conch shells, cans, refrigerator drain pans, barrels, bromeliad plants, and other containers. Can be found in all of Florida except Panhandle counties. Diseases: Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito Larvae found in water-holding objects found around the home and yard, such as flower vases, tires, toys, bottles, cans, barrels, tree holes, bromeliad plants, and other containers. Found in all Florida counties. Diseases: Dngue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. Culex quinquefasciatus, southern house mosquito Larvae are found in a variety of aquatic habitats, especially those with high organic content, including catch basins, ditches, containers, dairy lagoons, and others. Found in all Florida counties and are abundant throughout the state. Diseases: Dog heartworm, St. Louis encephalitis virus, West Nile virus. Aedes taeniorhynchus, Black salt marsh mosquito Larvae are found in salt marshes. Found in all Florida counties and are strong fliers that are major pests during summer and early fall. Disease: Dog heartworm. Psorophora ciliata, Gallinipper Larvae are found in ditches, containers, grassy pools, furrows of citrus groves, pasture areas. Found in all Florida counties. Diseases: None none. What attracts mosquitoes? While there's not much we can do about some conditions mosquitoes are attracted to — this is Florida — we should note mosquitoes are drawn to: Damp or humid areas Standing water Warm temperatures Dark, shady areas Carbon dioxide (your breath) Myth or magic? Do mosquito-repelling plants really work? Mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs. And they don't need much. Water in a bottle cap can provide an ideal breeding ground. Experts repeatedly encourage residents to empty flower pots, bird baths and any outdoor item that holds standing water — including bromeliads — to stop mosquitoes from breeding. Some residents share ideas to make outdoor living more bearable by selecting mosquito-repelling plants for their landscape, especially citronella and lavendar. But do they really work? 'Certain plants do contain mosquito-repelling compounds,' says Liah Continentino, environmental horticulture agent with University of Florida/IFAS Extension Monroe County. 'But unless you're extracting their oils and applying them like a spray, they're not doing much just sitting in your garden. 'Plants like eucalyptus, citronella, mint, basil, lavender and marigolds have oils that can deter mosquitoes. But the key word is 'oils.' These compounds need to be extracted and used in concentrated forms — like sprays — to be truly effective." In other words, mosquito-repelling plants are more myth than magic — at least when it comes to passive protection, UF said in a news release. So what can Florida residents do to minimize mosquitoes? Don't give up when it comes to enjoy Florida outdoor living. There are some things you can do and some do involve plants. Here are a few ideas: Reduce mosquito habitats 'This includes regularly emptying plant saucers, bird baths, pet water bowls and bromeliads, as well as any other water-holding plants. Refreshing bird baths and pet bowls with clean water several times a week and flushing bromeliad cups with a hose can help prevent larvae from developing,' said Jennifer Pelham, UF/IFAS urban horticulture agent and director of UF/IFAS Extension Martin County. Use plants in your landscape to attract mosquito predators "For dragonflies, which are highly effective mosquito hunters, they are drawn to native aquatic plants. For birds, include shrubs and trees that supply food, shelter and nesting areas,' said Lorna Bravo, urban horticulture agent with UF/IFAS Extension Broward County. Use fish to control larvae For water features that are permanent, such as ornamental ponds, UF/IFAS recommends adding mosquito-eating fish like Gambusia to naturally control larvae. Cover rain barrels with screens and refresh pet water bowls daily to prevent mosquito access. Encourage mosquito predators in your yard, including fish, dragonflies, fronts, birds and bats. What are the best mosquito repellents to use? According to the CDC, repellents with the following active ingredients "typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection": DEET Picaridin Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or PMD "Products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus specifies that they should not to be used on children under the age of 3." IR3535 2-undecanone "Certain products containing permethrin are recommended for use on clothing, shoes, bed nets, and camping gear, and are registered with EPA for this use." Items that don't work to repel mosquitoes "There are many gimmicks for sale that do not work, so be an educated consumer and don't waste your money on impulse buys," the Florida Department of Health said. Some items that are not effective for reducing mosquitoes include: Mosquito plants Bug zappers Consumption of garlic, vitamin B, and bananas Repellent bracelets and wristbands Ultrasonic devices and cell phone apps Dragonfly mimics This article originally appeared on Florida Today: World's deadliest animal are mosquitos. 80 types in Florida Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
This drug can turn your blood into mosquito poison
Mosquitoes may have just met their match: A prescription drug already used to treat a rare genetic disease in humans can make a person's blood poisonous to insecticide-resistant, malaria-carrying mosquitoes. New research published on July 31, 2025, in Parasites & Vectors found that the same drug, nitisinone, can even kill mosquitoes that simply land on a surface sprayed with the chemical. The findings could open up new avenues to stop the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue, especially as more mosquito populations evolve to become resistant to traditional prevention methods. Whether people will willingly offer their bodies as mosquito blood bait, though, remains less clear. 'This study demonstrates that nitisinone exhibits a novel mode of action distinct from current [insecticides] by specifically targeting blood digestion processes,' the researchers write. Toxic blood Nitisinone is a pharmaceutical drug derived from a toxin naturally found in the Australian bottlebrush plant. Initially intended for use as an herbicide, the drug targets a nonessential amino acid called tyrosine, which plays an important role in producing and regulating hormones. Research in the late 20th century discovered that nitisinone was also effective in treating tyrosinemia type I and alkaptonuria, two rare genetic disorders that impair the body's ability to metabolize tyrosine. The FDA approved the drug in 2002 to treat those suffering from these conditions. But the same process that helps humans metabolize tyrosine also acts as a kind of amino acid sabotage to blood-sucking mosquitoes. Earlier this year, researchers writing in Science Translational Medicine found that mosquitoes that fed on the blood of humans taking nitisinone died within several hours of their meal. And while patients typically take nitisinone in relatively high doses, the researchers found that the toxic effect on mosquitoes occurs even when the drug is taken in substantially lower amounts. The poisoning process blocks an enzyme mosquitoes need to process proteins and amino acids in blood. Introducing nitisinone disrupts their 'bloodmeal digestion' and effectively clogs the mosquitoes' digestive system. In other words, the drug takes mosquitoes' ability to convert protein from human blood—and turns it against them. But the new findings in the Parasites & Vectors study suggest this same poisoning process could also work without having to administer nitisinone to humans. In their tests, researchers exposed several mosquito species to surfaces treated with nitisinone and four other HPPD inhibitors, both before and after the insects fed on a blood sample. According to the study, the mosquitoes absorbed nitisinone through their feet. Over the course of several hours, nitisinone had similar poisoning effects on mosquitoes as it did on those that drank the treated blood. In every case, exposure to nitisinone caused paralysis. All of the affected mosquitoes also darkened in color. While researchers are confident the process works, they still aren't exactly sure why. It remains unclear how nitisinone is absorbed through the mosquitoes' feet or why the other three similar drugs didn't produce the same deadly results. 'This project proved how important it is to think outside the box,' paper senior author and Honorary Research Fellow at LSTM Lee Haines said in a statement. A new tool to fight resistant skeeters As anyone who's tried—and failed—to mosquito-proof their yard with bug spray knows, it doesn't always work. And that's not just a matter of user error: Insecticide-resistant mosquito variants are becoming increasingly common around the world. Some studies suggest that mosquitoes capable of surviving prolonged exposure to current insecticides make up as much as 30 percent of the population. Research from the World Health Organization estimates that mosquitoes resistant to at least one insecticide have been detected in over 90 percent of countries where malaria is considered endemic. That's a troubling trend, especially considering malaria still infects an estimated 263 million people every year, nearly 600,000 of which end up dying from it. Related Mosquito Stories How to build a mosquito kill bucket What would a world without mosquitoes look like? 11 home remedies for mosquito bites to battle the itch Mosquitoes can barely see–but a male's vision perks up when they hear a female Can a bold new plan to stop mosquitoes catch on? The nitisinone findings offer an encouraging sign that effective alternatives for controlling mosquito populations may already exist. Evidence that mere exposure to surfaces treated with the drug is an effective skeeter killer suggests nitisinone could potentially be applied to nets or other bedding materials as an alternative to traditional insecticides. 'Working with a drug like nitisinone, and its versatility, bodes well for creating new products to combat mosquitoes,' Haines said. 'The fact that it effectively kills insecticide-resistant mosquitoes could be a game-changer in areas where resistance to current insecticides is causing public health interventions to fail.' Humans certainly aren't lacking in creativity when it comes to killing mosquitoes. Genetically modified mosquitoes designed only to produce male offspring have been released in certain parts of the U.S. with the hopes that they will reduce overall populations. In Hawaii, the firm Drone Amplified recently dropped dozens of biodegradable, lab grown mosquito pods over forest areas in effort to combat the area's invasive mosquito population. More recently, scientists in China released cannibal 'elephant mosquitos' that are intended to eat the larvae of their smaller cousins capable of carrying dengue. Those more extravagant solutions aren't always necessary though. In the future, households looking to keep the buzzing at bay might simply be able to rub so nitisinone on their screens. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Bangladesh dengue deaths top 100, August could be worse
Bangladesh dengue deaths top 100, August could be worse DHAKA (Reuters) -Bangladesh is experiencing a surge in dengue cases and deaths, with health experts warning that August could bring an even more severe outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease if urgent action is not taken. Dengue has killed 101 people and infected 24,183 so far this year, official data showed, placing a severe strain on the country's already overstretched healthcare system. A sharp rise in fatalities has accompanied the spike in cases. Nineteen people have already died of dengue so far in August, following 41 deaths in July — more than double June's 19 fatalities. "The situation is critical. The virus is already widespread across the country, and without aggressive intervention, hospitals will be overwhelmed," said Kabirul Bashar, an entomologist at Jahangirnagar University. "August could see at least three times as many cases as July, with numbers potentially peaking in September." Health officials are urging people to use mosquito repellents, sleep under nets, and eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. "We need coordinated spraying and community clean-up drives, especially in high-risk zones," Bashar said. Experts say climate change, along with warm, humid weather and intermittent rain, has created ideal breeding conditions for Aedes mosquitoes, the carriers of the dengue virus. While Dhaka remains a major hotspot, dengue is peaking across the country. Large numbers of infections are being reported from outside the capital, adding pressure to rural healthcare facilities with limited capacity to treat severe cases. Doctors warn that early medical attention is critical. Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, or extreme fatigue should prompt immediate hospital visits to reduce the risk of complications or death. With the peak dengue season still ahead, health experts have stressed that community participation, alongside government-led mosquito control, will be critical in preventing what could become one of Bangladesh's worst outbreaks in years. The deadliest year on record was 2023, with 1,705 deaths and more than 321,000 infections reported.
