Health Officials Gearing Up For A Busy Mosquito Season

By Michelle Durham

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It's only the first week of March and already state health officials are concerned about the impact of mosquitoes this Spring. The little bugs can already been seen buzzing around some Delaware Valley neighborhoods.

Community Relations Coordinator at the PA Department of Environmental Protection, Linda Rebarchak explains why our area may see a spike in these pests, "I haven't really heard too many complaints, but I'm really not surprised because of the warm weather and the wet conditions that we've been having periodically. I have a feeling it's going to be an early season this year."

And she says the mosquitoes may be joined by: "Black flies could be just as busy. They like to be around streams and creeks and rivers in the area."

Rebarchak recommends you walk through your property to make sure you don't have any items that can collect standing water where mosquitoes like to breed. "Once the season hits, you have to be a little more vigilant. If you have kiddy pools, turn them over so they are not collecting water."

Rebarchak says the Department of Agriculture issued an alert last week to area horse owners to start taking steps now to prevent West Nile Virus in their animals.