What types of mosquitoes in Tennessee are most likely to carry WNV?
Culex pipiens pipiens and the Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus are the most common mosquitoes in Tennessee that may carry WNV. They are often referred to as urban “house mosquitoes.” These types of mosquitoes tend to lay eggs in man-made pools, water barrels, street gutters, clogged house gutters and birdbaths. To reduce your exposure to these types of mosquitoes, be sure to limit the amount of standing water near where you live. Also it is important to wear protective clothing (i.e. long sleeves) between dusk and dawn, since this is the time the Southern and Northern house mosquitoes are most active. WNV and Birds Why should we be concerned with birds when discussing WNV? Birds are infected by mosquitoes and serve as the natural host and reservoir for WNV. Although the virus usually does not make the birds ill, many birds can carry the virus in their blood for three or four days allowing more mosquitoes to feed on them and become infected. In nature, WNV “cycles” between birds and mosqu
