Lora Babilo Orange County Vector Control District
Mosquito Biology Mosquitoes have four life stages: Egg Larva Pupa Adult The duration of the life cycle depends d on the species and environmental conditions
Mosquito Biology Only the female needs a bloodmeal She uses the protein in the blood to produce eggs The female uses her proboscis to obtain blood
West Nile Virus Symptoms West Nile virus has three gradations of the virus West Nile virus West Nile fever West Nile encephalitis WN incubates in humans from 3-14 days
West Nile Virus Symptoms West Nile virus: Most of the population (80%) will contract t WNV and never show any symptoms.
West Nile Virus Symptoms West Nile fever: About 20% of the population that t contract WN will get WN fever Symptoms are similar to flu-like like symptoms: fever, achy, possible rash
West Nile Virus Symptoms West Nile encephalitis: About 1% of people who contract WN will get the more extreme cases. West Nile encephalitis, p, meningitis, or mengioencephalitis
West Nile Virus Symptoms There is no cure for West Nile virus To date, there is no human vaccine for WN but scientists hope to have one in the next few years People most likely to get WNV are those with weakened or compromised immune systems Scientists also believe that once you have WN you are immune for life Long term information is still pending
Personal Protective Measures Avoid being outside during peak mosquito hours- Dawn and Dusk Wear long sleeves and long pants when outside Wear repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or IR 3535. Avoid mosquito areas
AHB Can Settle in a Variety of Locations
AHB Are Defending Their Hive We should consider all bees in Southern California to be Africanized AHB will defend an area as large as 50 around their hive Loud noises and vibration frequently sets them off from up to 100 feet away There is often a warning sequence of head butting by individual bees Don t ignore it Look for a stream of bees
The Only Effective Response: Remove the Threat As quickly as possible leave the area of the hive Run back the way you came Keep going for as long as it takes to get away Do not try to hide or seek refuge in water Bees have been reported to wait up to 8 hours If a vehicle is available, get in and close the door The bees that follow you in are a much smaller risk Rescues should be given appropriate planning Adding to the number of people in trouble won t help
AHB Are Similar To European Honey Bees
Why Are Africanized Honey Bees More Dangerous?? Unpredictable Nest in more locations Respond and attack more quickly Pursue for greater distance Stay agitated longer Attack with greater numbers
Honey Bee Pursuit 30 yards European Honey Bees Africanized Honey Bees 200 yards = 2 football fields
Firefighters have special gear to make safe rescues in serious attacks
In an a attack each honeybee leaves her stinger behind when she stings. Up to 20,000000 bees can attack but each one can only stings once
RIFA have a red head and thorax and a dark brown abdomen
A single colony will have ants of many sizes
RIFA build Mounds of loose friable soil
Fire Ants will aggressively defend their colony
RIFA can inflict painful stings
RIFA are attracted to electrical current
Black Widow Spider Shiny black body usually with a reddish hourglass on the underside of her abdomen About 1.5 inches long Hangs belly upward and rarely leaves the web
Brown Widow Spider Vary in color from light tan to dark brown with variable markings of black, white, yellow, orange or brown. Rarely bite and are non- aggressive. Although their venom is twice as potent as black widow venom, they do not inject as much venom.
Brown Recluse Spider Not in California!!
Recluse Spider Map
Snake Venoms Complex mixtures that vary by species and work synergistically to subdue prey Enzymes (over 25 identified) Polypeptides Misc. (glycoproteins, inorganic ions, amino acids) Typically, venoms emphasize either Hemotoxicity (tissue destruction) Neurotoxicity (CNS collapse)
Venom Delivery Venom produced in modified salivary glands Muscles around the gland control venom delivery during a bite by contracting ti Quantity regulated by snakes depending on prey size and venom availability
Pit Vipers Subfamily Crotalidae Found only in the Americas and in Asia Characterized by specialized structures, loreal pit-organs, that house radiant heat receptors Can see endothermic prey by its infrared radiation Short-range detectors important in aiming the snake s strike, especially at night Receptor fields overlap, giving stereoscopic infrared vision i
Rattlers in California Red diamond Crotalus ruber Mojave / Mojave green Crotalus scutulatus
Rattlers in California Western diamondback Crotalus atrox Sidewinder Crotalus cerastes
Rattlers in California Western Crotalus helleri Speckled Crotalus mitchellii
Rattlesnake Envenomation >99% Survive, but Prevention is Still the Best Cure Approx. 800 bites per year in California with 1 to 2 deaths Most occurred while handling or molesting a snake News Flash! Males ages 15-30 are bitten most often More venom may be injected in defense Roadkills may bite The amount of venom delivered in bites is highly variable, and 15-50% 50% of bites are dry
Rattlesnake Bites Which h are Worse? Size Eastern and Western diamondbacks may exceed 6 ft. and inject huge quantities of venom Small species and babies should not be considered safer Species #1: Mojave rattlesnake, C. scutulatus #2: Southern Pacific rattlesnake, C. helleri All others
If Bitten by a Rattlesnake Need to receive treatment ASAP - Time is tissue - Do not panic Do NOT try to capture the snake for identification All pit vipers in the USA are covered by the CroFab antivenom Remove jewelry, watches, etc. swelling may progress rapidly apdy
Rattlesnake Envenomation
If Bitten by a Rattlesnake Keep bite area immobilized below the level of the heart Do not use a tourniquet Do not slice and suck Suction devices (e.g., Sawyer Extractor) are unproven Don't use ice to slow the spread of the venom - freezing the stricken limb is a major factor leading to amputation Antivenom is the ONLY proven therapy for snakebites! Agent neutralizes venom toxins
Good Websites for Information www.ocvcd.org org www.cdc.gov www.westnile.ca.govwestnile www.ochealthinfo.com Or Call Our Office: (714) 971-2421