JAMES W. KING: Mosquito experts leave out bug zappers

Warm weather and rain result in mosquito infestations. I live in western rural Dougherty county and wet weather ponds and swamps make mosquito control necessary. Due to the location and distance, occasional spraying by the county is of little or no benefit to me. I have to solve my mosquito problem.

Each year there are complaints in The Squawkbox that the city or county needs to spray or is behind schedule. Americans have become too dependent on government — federal, state, and local — to solve their problems as opposed to assuming personal responsibility and taking action. As a former county agricultural agent in Calhoun county, I always enjoyed helping people solve problems.

The easiest, best way to kill mosquitoes is with a bug zapper electrocution light. A UV blue or black light attracts the mosquitoes and they contact an electrical grid that electrocutes them. You can stand back and watch the sparks, somewhat like a mini-electrical lightning storm. During peak infestations, I often kill a handful or even two handfuls in one night. I have never tried to count them, but I estimate numbers as high as 1,000 to 2,000 dead mosquitoes. I rotate my light between several different locations around my home and property. Plug it in at dusk and leave it on until about an hour past dawn. They may be available locally at a hardware store or they can be ordered on the internet.

Mosquitoes may carry the West Nile virus and encephalitis and other viruses, bacteria, or parasites that cause other infections and diseases. The electrocution light and a heavy-duty long extension cord are a safe, low-cost way of preventing mosquito related health problems and the annoying itching.

I find it strange that all the articles I have ever read by “mosquito experts” never mention this method of mosquito control.

JAMES W. KING

Albany