Latest news with #MMCD
CBS News
07-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
What is being done to control the pesky side to spring in Minnesota
What is being done to help control insect populations around the Twin Cities What is being done to help control insect populations around the Twin Cities What is being done to help control insect populations around the Twin Cities From boating to grilling, the warmer weather brings many of our favorite outdoor activities. But there can be a pesky side to spring. "We're taking a lot of safety precautions when it comes to targeting specific species of mosquitoes and our goal is to protect public health," said Alex Carlson, from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD). The agency showed off their weapons on the State Capitol grass Tuesday. According to their website, the agency helps protect the public from disease and annoyance caused by mosquitoes, black flies and ticks. "We had one staff member who picked up 10 ticks just in one day this week," said Carlson. They're also looking at the swarming gnat-like bugs people are seeing near rivers. "I ride the Lime bikes around here and there's points in time when you just get a mouth full of gnats," said Tomas Alvarez who enjoys time by the Mississippi. "Sometimes when you walk around, you see these big clouds of bugs. I am always concerned what they are," said Michael Prom, a friend of Alvarez. MMCD scientists are trying to identify those bugs by collecting fresh samples. "I am identifying black fly larvae that came from the Minnesota River," said Care Lamere. Lamere says the gnat-like pests could be black flies or midgets. "Midges don't bite people, black flies do bite people," said Lamere. Carey says the bugs flying now are likely midges that die after two weeks. They'll start treating soon to curb black flies. She says with rain patterns she is not expecting the worst of years. Some say with nice weather, bugs are just a small price to pay. "The bugs are definitely worth negative, below zero weather. I will definitely take that," said Alvarez. The MMCD is finishing up analyzing the black fly specimens and could start treating for the flies as soon as May 7.
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Spring has only started to spring, but ticks are already out in Minnesota
With ticks on the prowl, here how to protect yourself With ticks on the prowl, here how to protect yourself With ticks on the prowl, here how to protect yourself While early predictions have warned of a potential surge in mosquito numbers this summer, some are sounding the alarm on a different bloodsucker – ticks are back in business in parts of Minnesota. "Ticks are always out first," Alex Carlson, with Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, said. "Ticks are out as soon as it's warm enough. And then they'll stay out long after the other bugs are gone." Carlson and his team at MMCD are jumping back into their busy season – monitoring black flies, ticks and mosquitoes in Minnesota. "The big thing we're predicting this year is a Fourth of July surge," Carlson said, "because of the species that's actually dependent on last year's rain." Carlson is talking about mosquitoes, and this summer predictions show a fourfold spike. But when it comes to ticks, Carlson says things are looking pretty average. "Ticks are something we just do surveillance for. There's not an environmentally sensitive way to do widespread tick control," Carlson said. University of Minnesota-Duluth biomedical sciences professor Dr. Benjamin Clarke says that's no reason to put down the repellent. "It's a living hypodermic needle and all it's caring about is the next blood meal," Clarke said. "So whether it's a deer, a dog, lizard or bird, or us, they're going to bite and feed." There are at least nine different tickborne diseases, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. "The tick needs to be attached for a good 20 to 24 hours before it can successfully transfer the bacteria," Clarke said. But some tickborne illnesses like the Powassan virus, which is popping up in some southern parts of the state, can be instantaneous. The risk of human infection is greatest in late spring and summer. That's why experts like Clarke say prevention is easier than treatment. Clarke recommended keeping and wearing a tick repellent, wear appropriate clothing to prevent the bug from skin access, and check your skin when you return home. Ticks typically live in grassy, brushy or wooded areas and, sometimes, even on animals. The CDC says activities like walking your dog outside, camping, gardening or hunting could bring you in close contact with the bug. Clarke says if you find a tick on your body, remove the bug and its head entirely with a pair of tweezers, or something similar. If you feel flu like symptoms after being bite, see a doctor immediately. It might help to bring the tick, too. "I think our enjoyment of the outdoors overrides that potential danger because there are measures you can take," Clarke said. The Minnesota Department of Health has a map of high-risk areas for tickborne diseases online. Click here to see the map.
CBS News
10-04-2025
- Health
- CBS News
You've heard of Lyme disease, but Minnesota's ticks carry another illness
With the warm weather comes deer ticks. They carry not only Lyme disease but also Powassan virus. "Most of the day is spent in front of a microscope identifying mosquitoes and ticks and black flies," said Scott Larson. Such is the life of an entomologist at the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District . But despite the daily routine, they're always discovering something new. "Ticks are much more important as far as human disease goes in this area," said Larson, an assistant entomologist. Lyme disease gets a lot of attention, but as they've seen an uptick in deer tick numbers over the years, another illness has caught their eye. "It's an extremely rare disease but it is something you should be very aware of," said Janet Jarnefeld with tick vector services. It's called Powassan virus and it can be fatal to the elderly or people who are immuno-compromised. While it has similar symptoms to Lyme disease, with a headache and vomiting, it's believed it infects people much faster. "For Powassan virus, it's unknown but you could possibly become infected only 15 minutes after a tick bites you," said Jarnefeld. Unlike other tick-borne diseases , there is no treatment or cure for Powassan virus. The illness has to run its course. But prevention is the same: wearing long pants and boots in the woods and using certain insect repellents. In Minnesota, there were only 14 cases of Powassan last year. But it's enough of a concern that MMCD has started collecting samples to learn as much as they can about the virus. "There are always new things to learn and new things coming up on the horizons," said Jarnefeld. The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District says it's too early to tell if tick numbers will be high this year, but they did collect a high number of larval ticks last year, which sometimes means an increase the following year. Experts say Powassan virus originated in Canadian ticks before coming to the U.S.
