FORT EUSTIS, VA. –
When the summer season arrives at Fort Eustis, Virginia, insects can become a nuisance for the personnel and families on the installation.
Ft. Eustis Civil Engineer Division have been setting traps, collecting data and monitoring the populations concerning mosquitos and ticks.
“We have five traps that are placed around the installation and we check them twice a week from April to October,” said Tim Christensen, CED environmental and natural resources specialist.
According to Christensen, after collecting the insects from the traps, CED will count the number of female mosquitos, which are the ones that bite and spread viruses such as the Zika virus, Malaria and West Nile. Once that process is complete, the team compares the data from previous weeks and the results determine what type of spraying CED will conduct.
“If the number of people being bit by mosquitos carrying the Zika virus rises then CED will re-evaluate the need for treatments,” said Christensen. “However, there is not enough data to support additional spraying.”
Mosquitoes are not the only insect control the CED supports. Presently on Eustis, the highest medically significant concern present is the tick due to their larger number on the installation, said Christensen.
“We’ve been doing tick surveillance and identifying the pathogens they can vector to people,” said Christensen. “CED encourages people to avoid areas with a possible tick infestation.”
The CED office recommends to service members and their families who may have come in contact with ticks or tick infestations to follow proper protection guidelines such as wearing treated clothing and checking for ticks periodically.
For concerns of a possible mosquito count increase or other pest nuisances within the on-base privatized housing, contact the housing office at 757-396-8335.
For all other concerns or for more information contact CED at 757-878-4357.