Mosquito Surveillance

The Moab Mosquito Abatement District holds a wide variety of permanent and temporary bodies of water that are breeding sites for mosquitoes. These include ponds left behind by the receding Colorado river, marshes, woodland springs, catch basins, storm drains and ornamental fish ponds.

The MMAD monitors sites for the abundance of larvae and adult mosquitoes to determine their location, the species present, and how many there are. This data allows us to plan control measures for reducing mosquitoes and to evaluate the effectiveness of past measures.

Mosquito larvae are detected by district technicians using 'dippers' to sample possible breeding sites. Samples are examined both in the field and in the lab for the abundance, species and life-stage of the mosquitoes. Some breeding sites may escape surveillance because they are difficult to access or detect.

Mosquito traps are used to capture adult mosquitoes, which are identified and counted in the lab. Surveillance also includes laboratory testing to determine if mosquitoes are carrying diseases that affect humans and animals. Samples are tested for West Nile Virus, for example.