Mosquito Surveillance

Sentinel Chickens - Sentinel chickens have been used in mosquito control for many years as a way to detect viruses spread by mosquitoes.  A surveillance flock consist of 6 - 10 chickens.  At the beginning of the mosquito season sentinel chicken flocks are strategically placed in the District and blood samples are taken every 2 weeks.  The blood samples are sent to the State Department of Health Services and tested for virus. The District currently uses 4 Sentinel Chicken Flocks.

New Jersey Light Traps -  New Jersey Light Traps use light to attract adult mosquitoes.  Mosquitoes are drawn into the trap by a fan and are collected in jars. The traps are emptied on a weekly basis.  These collections are used to determine the adult population in the area the trap is located. Mosquitoes collected using this method are not suitable for virus testing.

CO2 Traps - C02 baited traps use carbon dioxide (dry ice) to attract female mosquitoes.  When the mosquito flies close enough to the trap it is sucked into a collection net. These traps are used for only one night.  The collections can be used to monitor adult populations, but most commonly used tested for virus.

Gravid Traps -  Gravid traps are baited with a special formulation to attract female mosquitoes that have already taken a blood meal.  The trap mimics the environment that the mosquito would lay her eggs.  As in the other trap when she flies close enough to the trap she is sucked in to a collection container.  These traps are used for a single night and samples may be tested for virus.