I heard that putting up purple martin houses and bat houses will help prevent West Nile virus because those animals eat mosquitoes. Is this true?

While it is true that certain types of birds and bats eat mosquitoes, putting up bird and bat houses on your property will not necessarily help prevent the transmission of the West Nile Virus. Several agencies have tried to control mosquitoes by using birds, bats, dragonflies, and frogs. However, according to the American Mosquito Control Association, there is no proof that bats, purple martins, or other animals that eat insects are able to eat enough adult mosquitoes to make a difference.

One reason for this is because purple martins fly and eat during the day and most mosquitoes are active at night. In addition, most bats eat June bugs and moths but do not eat mosquitoes. Also, bats can transmit the rabies virus, and encouraging them to live in your yard could pose a health risk to your family and neighbors.

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1. I heard that putting up purple martin houses and bat houses will help prevent West Nile virus because those animals eat mosquitoes. Is this true?
2. My community won't spray for mosquitoes. Therefore, my town has no mosquito control and the citizens are at risk for West Nile Virus. Any tips?
3. My neighbor says you can get West Nile Virus from handling dead birds. Is this true?
4. I found a dead bird in my yard today and the Department of State Health Services will not test it. How can we be tested for this deadly disease?
5. My neighbor's bug zappers keep me awake all night. He says he got several zappers to protect his family from West Nile virus because they kill mosquitoes. I say they don't work. Who is right?
6. Why do some areas stop collecting dead birds?