Trapping and testing for West Nile

New Haven (WTNH) - Last month's heavy rains have made it prime conditions for a bumper crop of mosquitoes. Mosquito testing is already underway to determine if deadly diseases are being carried by the pesky bugs.

It's not a glamorous job, but for five years Ed Calendrella has carefully waded through swamps setting traps for the state's mosquito management program.

"It's good to be on the forefront of something," Calendrella said.

He helps to identify the West Nile Virus. The deadly disease is found in mosquitoes and can infect humans with just one bite.

Calendrella is trapping mosquitos in East Haven, one of 90 trapping sites around the state. From the swamp, into a cooler and then off to the lab where the skeeters are killed with dry ice. The cold is imperative to keep the virus alive in the mosquitos.

Researchers at the Agricultural Experiment Station separate moths from mosquitos and then with a trained eye, separate species, record data and put the bugs into vials.

The bugs caught today will be processed and watched for a few days. By Monday they'll know if any of them are carrying the West Nile Virus.