West Nile Virus

Parker residents have likely heard of the West Nile Virus (WNV), a disease transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. WNV has become more rampant in recent years and can cause fever, headaches, muscle fatigue and sometimes encephalitis.

What is the Town doing to combat West Nile Virus?
The Town’s principal defense against mosquitoes is the use of “BTI,” which is a naturally occurring bacteria supplied in the form of briquettes. BTI is applied to standing bodies of water and is effective in killing the mosquito larva without endangering the environment. Public Works will be applying BTI in Town-owned water ways throughout the summer. We encourage individuals, HOA’s, or others who own or control areas that may accumulate standing water to apply BTI, which is available at Tagawa Garden Center and www.amleo.com, to these areas as well.

Click here to get detailed information on the West Nile Virus and precautions you can take to around your own home to help combat the virus.

Bats and Other Natural Predators
The Town is also looking to other natural mosquito control techniques, including constructing bat houses. Natural predators that feed on mosquitoes, including bats, birds, fish and other insects, can play an important role in reducing insect-borne diseases. Although no single approach to mosquito control is appropriate for all locations, encouraging these natural defenses should be an important part of the long-term control whenever possible.

Consider Bat Houses
Under the right circumstances, bat houses (artificial structures for bats) can aid our efforts to control mosquitoes. Bats eat huge quantities of insect pests, and some species are fond of mosquitoes. A single brown bat can catch up to 1,200 mosquito size insects each hour, and the bats do not transfer WNV.
But, like bluebirds and purple martins, bat populations are declining for lack of places to live. You can help bats and reduce the number of insects in your yard by installing bat houses. Click here to get instructions on constructing your own bat house.

The Town constructed 10 bat houses in 2003 and located them adjacent to some of the Town’s detention ponds. Area elementary school classes helped the Town construct some of these bat houses. The Town’s bat houses, which are simple wooden structures slightly larger than a bird house, continue to be monitored to determine their effectiveness. The bat program is a long-term program and may require several years before it becomes effective.