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How to reduce mosquitoes in your yard and neighborhood

Published

2 years ago

February 25, 2023

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ST. LOUIS – Spring will be here before you know it, which means warmer temperatures and the return of some unwanted visitors

“That’s a big breeding area for mosquitoes. Even a small capful can have 200 mosquitoes,” said Doug Thompson, founder of Mosquito Hunters of Kirkwood-Webster Groves.

And they are a nuisance for everyone. Mosquitoes thrive when temperatures get above 55°. The mosquito season is from April to early November, so watch out for them on your evening walks, because that’s the time they’re most active. So, how do you prepare?

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“The biggest thing you can do is avoid standing water in your yard, cause it can come from wheelbarrows, gutters, or your plants, low spots; so, that’s the biggest thing, to get rid of all the standing water in your yard,” Thompson said.

If not, you’ll increase your chances of getting bitten. Mosquito bites are not just itchy, but mosquitos can spread West Nile fever, which is rare in this area, but can be deadly.

Mosquitoes not only affect humans, but their bites are the cause of heartworm disease in your cats and dogs.

Do cold temperatures actually kill off mosquitos? That’s something of a myth, Thompson said.

“…the mosquitoes and most of their eggs, they go into hibernation called diapause. You may notice sometimes when it’s warm in the winter time, when we have those nice spring days in the winter, you get bitten by a mosquito,” he said. “How can that be? Well, they come out of diapause or hibernation, and they’ll go right back again. So, they don’t really die, they just go into a hibernation and come out during the spring.”

Here’s what you can do to avoid being bitten.

“There are certain things you can do to avoid mosquito bites is wear light colored clothing, they’re attracted to CO2 on our breath,” Thompson said. “If you’re having an outdoor party, they like alcohol, get the light-color clothing and turn the fan on out there. That deters them from landing on you.”

You can also protect yourself with a mosquito repellent that contains DEET. Unfortunately, Citronella is not as effective as cedar oil at repelling the pesky insects.

“It’s the female and only the female that bites, and they need that for reproductive purposes,” Thompson said.

Cleaning up around your home and lightening up your look can keep you safe and bite free this spring.

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Man attacks Jeff Co. deputy with screwdriver during attempted arrest

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. – Two people are behind bars after a man reportedly attacked a Jefferson County deputy with a screwdriver during an attempted arrest over the weekend.

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Davis, 47, and Amanda Davis, 45, of Dittmer, Missouri, with felonies in the investigation.

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The alleged attack followed a traffic stop of a driver in the 9500 block of Jones Creek Road on July 7, though the driver was not Nicholas or Amanda.

According to court documents obtained by FOX 2, Nicholas reportedly came out of his nearby home, yelled at a deputy and started approaching him while holding a screwdriver. The deputy initially ordered Nicholas to back away, then used pepper spray.

Per court documents, the deputy attempted to arrest Nicholas, who then struck him in the chest with the screwdriver. Amanda reportedly approached the deputy and pulled him away from Nicholas before both ran inside their home.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office says the situation prompted an hours-long standoff involving negotiators, a SWAT team and a K-9 deputy. The situation led to Nicholas refusing warnings and being bitten by a K-9.

Nicholas and Amanda are both jailed in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Nicholas is charged with first-degree assault on a special victim and armed criminal action. Amanda is charged with resisting/interfering with arrest.

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St. Louis Public Schools superintendent to be sworn in

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — The new St. Louis schools superintendent will be officially sworn into office today. Dr. Keisha Scarlett took over the job in July after the retirement of Dr. Kelvin Adams. She was assistant superintendent in the Seattle Public School District. The installation ceremony is at 6:15 p.m. before the regular school board meeting.

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Gas tanker crashes into St. Louis Metro transit center

Published

2 years ago

July 11, 2023

Natural Bridge

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ST. LOUIS — A gasoline tanker truck crashed into a Metro transit center near Riverview and Hall Streets early Tuesday morning and knocked over a power pole. The pole is leaning on other power lines. Police have the area blocked off here because there is a downed power line. Ameren and Metro crews are also on the scene.

The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. It’s still unclear exactly what caused the crash, but we do that there was a second vehicle somehow involved. The airbags on that second vehicle did deploy.

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Police at the scene have not been able to give us a lot of details. Metro officials tell FOX 2 that the transit center here is operating this morning for passengers and buses. Access to certain areas will be limited here as clean up unfolds.

A Metro spokesperson says half of the station isn’t being used right now because of safety issues. It isn’t impacting overall bus operations, everything is just happening on the other side of transit center.

The extent of the damage to the actual transit center is still unclear, but I’m told it does not appear to be extreme. A Metro spokesperson tells me there were no injuries to any metro workers or passengers. The tanker driver also was not injured.

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