West Nile Virus and Birdbaths

It’s summer and the threat of West Nile Virus looms over our area again. WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito; very few mosquitoes are infected and less than 1% of the people bitten by an infected mosquito will become seriously ill. So, you can see, the chance of contracting WNV is very remote! People, horses, more than 100 species of birds, and some other animals have become infected with WNV since its first appearance in the United States in 1999 but there is no evidence to suggest that WNV can spread from person to person or from animal to person.

The way to avoid infection is to avoid mosquitoes! Stay inside when mosquitoes are most active, wear long sleeved shirts and trousers, use insect repellent, and remove sources of standing water from your property.

Ponds with moving water or stocked with fish pose no threat because mosquitoes breed in standing water; nor will mosquitoes breed in properly maintained birdbaths.

Wild About Birds carries several products you can use to help you keep your birdbath clean. Ecological Laboratories makes a soy-based birdbath cleaner ($18.99/32 oz.) and an all natural enzyme to keep the water clear ($10.99/4 oz.). To make the cleaning job easier we also carry a birdbath scrub brush ($6.99). Try a dripper and/or mister to keep the birdbath water moving ($21.99-$41.99).

Stop the spread of mosquitoes; stop the spread of WNV!