Mosquito Abatement Teams Setting Traps Around Town - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SALINAS, Calif.-- Mosquito Abatement Teams Setting Traps Around Town. Two birds tested positive for west Nile virus in Monterey County within 24 hours. The first sparrow was found in the Bolsa Knolls neighborhood off San Juan Grade Road in North Salinas. The second, confirmed by Monterey County Health Department officials was found in Castroville.  

The health department said people shouldn't be too worried. The chances of catching the virus from the mosquitos are extremely rare. People just need to be aware of their surrounding when they're outside. Today Mosquito Abatement Team members were out setting traps to catch mosquitos for testing.

We got a first hand look at the Northern Salinas Valley Mosquito Abatement District working to set traps in areas where the west Nile virus was found. "Basically we set out three mosquito traps here were a dead bird was found positive. We were surprised but it did yield to a lot of mosquitos," said Ken Klemme.

Ken Klemme is a biologist and has been doing mosquito research for more than ten years. In the past few days he's set out unique traps that just last night caught 50 live mosquitos. They use dry ice and the reason for that is so it simulates a person and it gives off Co2 just like a human being would when they're breathing and that's what helps attract the mosquitos.

A light and fan also keep the bugs in the net traps. Abatement teams are getting a lot of calls to the Virginia Rocca Barton Elementary School area near pools of water where there's lots of mosquito activity. The problem is there are a lot of children playing nearby.

If you feel your area could be at risk you can reach the abatement team at (831) 422-6438 in Salinas, 761-2483 in Pajaro and 373-2483 in Monterey.