Swamp coolers: breeding grounds for Zika virus?
It’s a busy time of year for Buff Brown, CEO of Desert Cooler Specialist, who encourages owners of evaporative and swamp coolers to have them serviced in the spring and winter.
“If it’s maintained and serviced correctly, you’re not going to have that problem,” that problem: mosquito breeding.
Earlier this week the Aedes aegypti invasive mosquito species capable of transmitting the Zika virus was found in Coachella.
Mosquitoes capable of transmitting Zika virus found in Coachella
With the summer months soon approaching, many people are packing up and moving out of the valley, possibly leaving behind an ideal breeding ground for those mosquitoes.
“If they leave and they don’t close down that cooler, then yes there is the possibility of stagnant water and possible breeding,” says Brown.
We’re told coolers that are broken or not properly maintained can develop mold and mildew, attracting mosquitoes.
Brown says evaporative coolers are less likely to have this problem than the older swamp coolers, which use aspen wood in the filter system.
The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District says checking coolers is on their to-do list after having past experiences where coolers have caused problems.
“We really want residents and owners of swamp coolers, if they are leaving for an extended period of time and are shutting things down that they drain those completely so that the risk of having Aedes aegypti and other local mosquitoes that can transmit diseases like West Nile virus, don’t breed in them, says General Manager of CVMVCD, Jeremy Wittie.
Evaporative and swamp coolers that are on and circulating should not have any issues with mosquito breeding grounds. We’re told mosquitoes are only attracted to stagnant water, but it’s important to have units serviced twice a year.
To have your unit serviced, you can contact Desert Cooler Specialist online or by calling (760) 832-8737.
