Like Swallows to Capistrano, the Mosquitoes Return to Brooklyn

By Joaquim Alves Gaspar, Wikipedia

The recent rain combined with the warm temperatures may launch a super-storm of mosquitoes this summer, experts say, but we don't need experts to tell us that mosquitoes are breeding like crazy in parts of Brooklyn.

Certain neighborhoods attract mosquitoes more than others. We suspect the toxic Gowanus Canal is breeding super bloodsuckers, which then spread out to Carroll Gardens, Red Hook, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill.

Dr. Leslie Vosshall, the Robin Chemers Neustein Professor at Rockefeller University, visited the Gowanus last August. "The stagnant edges of the canal . . .might provide a good breeding ground, as would pools of water in the hollows of wooden pilings," she told the New Yorker. “Mosquitoes don’t like water too clean."

In the meantime, an expert from the NYS Dept. of Health told the Brooklyn Eagle on Friday that people should know that the annoying pests could actually kill you.

“People should be very aware of the fact that West Nile could occur,” he said.  “We’re continuing our program of surveillance to identify where mosquito pools might be and prevent the spread of the virus to people.”

Have a nice summer.

Go to McBrooklyn's HOME PAGE.