Preventing West Nile Virus: the turf connection

Avoiding mosquito bites through the use of DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide)-based insect repellents is one of the first lines of defense against West Nile virus (WNV). However, as this photo from Dan Dinelli of North Shore Country Club shows, there is at least one unintended downside for turf in preventive actions against WNV.

With the warmer weather, the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus (WNV) have once again become active, with 19 confirmed human cases occurring in the western U.S. so far…