Summertime is for swimming pools and lemonade, not for mosquito bites and diseases like West Nile virus, so the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging residents to “fight the bite” and protect themselves.

“The best parts of summer aren’t itchy bites and being sick, so we want people to protect themselves from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses,” said Acting DEP Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. “It doesn’t take much to fight the bite and protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes. Common sense and insect repellent can go a long way toward a safe and happy summer.”

Four cases of West Nile virus in humans have already been reported in Pennsylvania this year. Philadelphia, Berks, Lancaster and Luzerne counties have seen one case each, according to DEP reports.

Symptoms of West Nile in humans are typically like those of a mild flu, but the virus can lead to a more serious condition that includes swelling of the brain, muscle convulsions, coma, paralysis, and death. Since DEP first began monitoring for the virus in 2000 there have been 48 fatal cases of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania.

Louise Bugbee, who manages the Vector Borne Disease Control Program in Lehigh and Northampton counties, said reports of infected mosquitoes are on the rise. There haven’t been any human cases in her coverage area this yea but there’s still a concern.

The insects lay their eggs in water, so Bugbee said it’s a common misconception that they can’t reproduce during dry spells.

“Just because we are not getting a whole lot of rain, the grass is dry, and we are kind of approaching drought conditions, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t worry about mosquitoes,” said Bugbee.

Mosquitoes, she said, are determined to find water, and they’ll often find it in people’s backyards.

“People need to remember that these mosquitoes are breeding on their own properties,” she said.

Bugbee, who is based out of the Lehigh County Conservation District, said field technicians trap and test mosquitoes for the disease. They can order treatment based on their findings.

As of this week, DEP and county vector programs have detected 258 mosquitoes with West Nile virus in Pennsylvania. None were found in Carbon County, however, Northampton County had eight, followed by Lehigh County with seven, Schuylkill County with three and Monroe County with one.

“We are responsible for doing public treatment,” Bugbee said of mosquito control. “That includes public parks, storm drains, retention ponds, etc. We can’t go into people’s backyards,” she said.

Therefore, she said mosquito control is everybody’s business.

“We do what we can within the guidelines of our program but private property is up to the owners,” Bugbee explained.

“Mosquitoes are weak flyers and won’t travel far from where they are born. If there are mosquitoes in your backyard or neighborhood, they are likely laying eggs there as well. If you’re being bitten by mosquitoes, they are 9 times out of 10 coming from your property. Get rid of even small amounts of standing water around your home,” said Jennifer Stough, Water Program Specialist for DEP’s Vector Management Program.

“It doesn’t take much for several hundred mosquitoes to be born. The small pool of water that collects in a single upturned bottle cap is an incubator for as many as 300 mosquito eggs,” Stough said. “Mosquitoes acquire the virus by biting infected birds and transmit the virus to people through a subsequent bite.”

Use of commonly sold insect repellents, like those using DEET, picaridin, or other EPA-registered repellants, can also cut down on mosquito bites, and possible exposure to the virus. Long pants and sleeves are also an important way to cut down on possible exposure to mosquitoes.

“With the right precautions it’s possible to be safe and still get all of the physical and mental health benefits that having fun outdoors provides,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said.

“Pennsylvanians should take proper precautions when outside and in high-risk areas where mosquitoes tend to congregate such as places with stagnant pools of water,” Acting Secretary of Health and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. “Simple awareness and a few self-protective measures are the best ways to protect yourself and keep your loved ones safe.”

DEP conducts regular surveillance and control to manage mosquito populations around the state.

DEP and county partners throughout the state will also conduct routine, localized spraying to control infected adult populations of mosquitoes. These operations are conducted when and where deemed necessary based on recent population survey results.

“Control operations are a strong tool, but they are not a substitute for preventive measures like eliminating standing, stagnant water,” Stough said.

DEP will continue to survey affected communities to monitor mosquito activity and West Nile. DEP biologists have initiated a survey of the mosquito population to determine the risk for further human illness. If necessary, adult mosquito populations will be reduced. These efforts will continue through October.

What you can do

There are many things people can do to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

• Eliminate standing, stagnant water near your home - bird baths, kiddie pools, and other outdoor decorations can be mosquito breeding grounds if the water sits for a few days.

• Keep gutters clean of debris.

• Wear insect repellent or long sleeves when mosquitoes are active, usually around dawn and dusk.

• Repair window screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

• Clean up litter in your neighborhood. Just a single cap from a plastic bottle can be home to 300 mosquito eggs.

More information on mosquitoes, West Nile virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases can be found at dep.pa.gov/westnile.