HELENA — Mosquitoes are the bane of many camping trips and outdoor BBQs. With the West Nile Virus now detected in mosquitoes here in Montana, there’s even more reason to protect yourself and your loved ones from these pesky creatures.

West Nile Virus has been detected in mosquitoes in 4 counties in Montana. The virus was found in 6 pools in Blaine, Dawson, Prairie, and Wibaux counties.

“Those pools have been tested as positive, not a human case or an equine case,” says Jill Allen, who works in Boulder District 1 in Jefferson County as a Mosquito Coordinator.

She’s noticed the mosquito population decreased this season in comparison to previous years. She attributes this to late freezes, low snowpack, and hot, dry temperatures in July.

“We haven’t had nearly the amount of volume of mosquitoes as we have had in past years,” says Allen.

Allen says that while she tackles mosquito mitigation on public and private lands, it’s essential to do your part to help decrease hatching pools through the summer and early fall. Mosquitoes can persist as late as October.

“Any type of a container or area in their yard that can allow water to pool, as well as any tall vegetation in the evening or in the daytime hours, that’s where the mosquitoes will hunker down for the daytime hours in the heat,” says Allen.

West Nile Virus can be fatal in some, so using repellent with DEET is essential when you’re headed outside. Allen also says that mosquitoes are attracted to dark-colored clothes.

Nina Heinzinger, Licensed Establishment Program Supervisor with Lewis and Clark Public Health, says it can be helpful to abide by the 4 D’s when dealing with mosquitoes. These include avoiding or taking precautions at dawn and dusk, using DEET, dressing appropriately by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and draining standing water.

“If you can avoid getting bit by a mosquito, you can avoid getting West Nile Virus along with other diseases that may be carried by mosquitoes,” says Heinzinger.

Every week day, we ask Montanan’s a question and like good participants, they respond with some of the best answers. Some sarcastic, but for the most part, the answers are super helpful.

Montanan’s love an abundant of things about their state, but I found the top 5 answers and couldn’t agree more!

Here are the Top 5 Things Montanan’s Love About Fall

Leaves changing throughout the mountains. This is such an incredible site. Especially when driving to Livingston, heading through the pass, it’s hard to focus as you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful views. Your eyes have a hard time not starring in awe of all of the red and orange leaves surrounding you. It’s beautiful to put it mildly.

Football, football, and more football. Our MSU Bobcats are about to kick off the season and that alone makes me think fall is closer than it may seem. Let’s get ready to cheer on our Cats this Saturday!

Pumpkin everything. Now you either love pumpkin spice season or you hate it. I personally love it, but I can see how some people are over it. I mean do we need pumpkin spice toothpaste? No. But once pumpkin spice flavors hit the shelves, we know the leaves are going to start changing.

Bonfires and blankets. There is nothing better than sitting in a circle with a group of your favorite people, listening to the bonfire pop as one log burns down and you look to add another. Making memories, singing along to the music in the background, and telling that one friend we all have, that they don’t need to be that close to the fire and “no we don’t need more wood”.

Fall harvest. The smell of finishing up your crops, the dew on the leaves in the early morning hours, and knowing that you have accomplished another successful farming season is not only an incredible smell, but also an incredible feeling. The smell of the combine pushing through field after field is a smell that brings me home.

Fall is just around the corner and I think I am ready for it, especially after all of these feel good reminders about why it is so perfect.

Special Olympics Montana – Glacier Area invites the community to its annual summer social on Friday, Aug. 23, at Lawrence Park, Kalispell, from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and learn about Special Olympics Montana Glacier Area, meet local athletes and teams, and enjoy a fun-filled evening. The social will feature music by Noisebox Productions, engaging games and resource booths. Attendees can also savor delicious offerings from the Montana Devil Dawgs and Glacier Shaved Ice food trucks. 

For more information, please contact Jacquie Simmons, Special Olympics Montana – Glacier Area outreach coordinator at (425) 478-7657 or email: jsimmons@somt.org. 

Special Olympics Montana is a statewide non-profit organization that provides year-round sports training, athletic competition, and health-related programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics Montana changes lives through the power of sport by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect.