Mosquitoes

West Nile Virus Confirmed in Mosquitoes from Falmouth, MA

 

DATE: July 31, 2025                                                   CONTACT: Scott McGann

TOWN: Falmouth                                                       TELEPHONE: 508-495-7485

 The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today that West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in a mosquito sample collected from Falmouth Massachusetts on July 29, 2025, at a sampling location in the vicinity of Siders Pond. The Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project collects routine mosquito samples as part of MDPH’s surveillance program for mosquito-borne diseases.  The last positive WNV mosquito sample detected in Falmouth was June 24, 2025, off Woods Hole Road. No human cases have been detected.

 The Falmouth Health Department will continue to work closely with the MDPH and the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project (CCMCP) on mosquito control efforts. The location of the positive sample is routinely treated by the CCMCP and will continue to be an area of focus throughout the mosquito season. 

 WNV is most commonly transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquitoes that carry this virus are common throughout the state and are found in urban as well as more rural areas. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 are at higher risk for severe infection.  

 By taking a few common sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

 Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.  Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin. 
  • Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.

 Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.  
  • Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitting screens on all your windows and doors.

 Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

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By taking a few, common sense precautions, people can help to protect themselves and their loved ones:

 Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.  Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin. 
  • Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours - The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. When risk is increased, consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellant.

 Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • Drain Standing Water – Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.  
  • Install or Repair Screens - Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all your windows and doors.

 Information about WNV and reports of current and historical WNV virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website at: www.mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

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Mosquitoes are a known vector of several diseases.  The Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project serves all of Barnstable County with an integrated pest management approach of mechanical, cultural, and biological controls to help regulate the mosquito population on Cape Cod. For more information, please visit their website at ccmcp.net or call them at 508-775-1510.  Always remember to wear your EPA-approved insect repellent, and insect-repellent treated clothing.

There are several steps you can take to control mosquitoes at your home:

  1. Remove standing water in your yard where mosquitoes could lay eggs.
    • Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Mosquitoes lay eggs near water.
    • Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
    • For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
    • Use larvicides to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
    • If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.

  2. Kill mosquitoes outside your home.

    • Use an outdoor insect spray made to kill mosquitoes in areas where they rest.
    • Mosquitoes rest in dark, humid areas like under patio furniture, or under the carport or garage. When using insecticides, always follow label instructions.
  3. Prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
    • Install or repair and use window and door screens. Do not leave doors propped open.
    • Use air conditioning when possible.

Source:https://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/controlling-mosquitoes-at-home.html