{"id":62266,"date":"2015-04-06T11:59:10","date_gmt":"2015-04-06T18:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theavtimes.com\/?p=62266"},"modified":"2015-04-06T12:03:12","modified_gmt":"2015-04-06T19:03:12","slug":"giant-mosquitoes-on-the-west-side-are-actually-crane-flies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2015\/04\/06\/giant-mosquitoes-on-the-west-side-are-actually-crane-flies\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cGiant mosquitoes\u201d on the west side are actually crane flies"},"content":{"rendered":"

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[Image courtesy AVMVCD]<\/figcaption><\/figure>LANCASTER \u2013 The Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District has been receiving calls from residents, especially from the west side of the valley, about an invasion of giant mosquitoes, according to District Entomologist Karen Mellor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter investigating the situation, we found that they actually were not mosquitoes, but rather crane flies,\u201d Mellor stated. \u201cCrane flies look similar to mosquitoes, but are quite a bit larger. The good thing is that they don\u2019t bite or cause any diseases. But they can be very annoying, especially in large numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Weather conditions were just right for a bumper crop of these pesky insects to emerge from the ground. They usually don\u2019t live very long and are anticipated to be gone in a couple of weeks. The AVMVCD recommends turning off outdoor lights at night, since insects are attracted to light.<\/p>\n

Although these are not mosquitoes, the District advises residents to check their properties for standing water to avoid mosquito breeding. Due to recent high temperatures, mosquito activity has already been detected in some spots.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are gearing up for a busy season. We are picking up our sentinel chickens tomorrow and are starting our disease surveillance,\u201d Mellor stated. \u201cNow is the time for everybody to prepare by cleaning up swimming pools, removing standing water and vaccinating horses.\u201d<\/p>\n

The California Department of Public Health, as of April 3, reported West Nile Virus (WNV) activity from three counties in four dead birds and one mosquito sample. Last year, the Antelope Valley recorded WNV in two people, five dead birds, four mosquito samples and 29 sentinel chickens.<\/p>\n

To stay up-to-date on new WNV activity in the Antelope Valley and any mosquito-related information, visit www.avmosquito.org<\/a>, https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/avmosquito<\/a> or follow AVMVCD on Twitter @AVMosquito<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tips to keep mosquitoes away and stay safe:<\/strong><\/h3>\n