HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — Are you seeing weird looking contraptions like these around base? No need to be alarmed, the Public Health Flight recently began its seasonal mosquito surveillance.

Mosquito surveillance season runs from May to October. The purpose of the surveillance is to monitor mosquito levels on base and collect specimens, which are sent to an entomology lab to be tested for disease.

Public Health uses the data collected to educate the base population on the potential for diseases, such as West Nile Virus.

The two types of traps used are a CDC Light Trap and Gravid Trap. The traps are usually left overnight and picked up the following day.

A bite from a mosquito can be more than just annoying and itchy. A bite from a mosquito has the potential to spread viruses that can make you sick, and in very rare cases, can cause death.

The Public Health flight encourages base residents to assist with mosquito control.

• Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites by utilizing these helpful tips:
• Stay away from stagnate pools of water
• Apply insect repellant to your skin containing DEET when outdoors at dawn or dusk
• Empty water that collects in flower pots, pet water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans
• Check rain gutters and clean them if clogged
• Remove discarded tires and other items from your yard that could collect water
• Dispose of or store tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers not being used

For more information on mosquito control, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at

https://www.cdc.gov/features/stopmosquitoes/index.html or contact the Public Health Flight at 801-777-7934.