Vectors

WEST NILE VIRUS - Mosquito Complaints / Dead Bird Reports West Nile Virus WA WNV Numbers West Nile Virus	Culex tarsalis Photo credit: James Gathany, CDC
BED BUGS WSU Extension
Rodents Hanta Virus Before you tackle that shed, barn or cabin see Spring Clean Up
Black flies are small, biting flies that are a nuisance to people and animals living, working, or playing near running rivers and streams. Black flies are sensitive to weather conditions. They are most active on cloudy, humid days with low wind. These flies are typically dark in color and some species are also referred to as ‘punkies’ or ‘no-see-um’s’. On people, they crawl into sleeves, under neck bands, around boot tops and other vulnerable places, especially favoring the head just beneath the rim of a hat. Bites can cause swelling and numb soreness for many days. The painfully itchy bite of the black fly is created when it cuts a hole in the skin to suck blood from animals and people. The flies attack around the eyes, ears, scalp and occasionally on the arms and exposed legs. The pain and swelling of the bite are due to the body’s allergic response to the fly’s saliva that they inject when feeding. Fortunately, black flies do not transmit any diseases to humans in Washington state, but can cause discomfort and irritation. Again, although black flies are a nuisance, they do not transmit disease, and therefore are not considered a public health risk.