Hot, wet weather like we've had makes a perfect breeding ground for outdoor pests, especially mosquitoes. Three human cases of West Nile, the mosquito borne disease, were reported in our state last year. None of the victims died. Across the nation, though, 88 people did die from West Nile in 2003. So what will this year bring? Pitt County folks who monitor mosquitoes there say the pests are not as bad as they were last year at this time. That's the opposite of Craven County. Health officials there say they are seeing more of an increase. Tip it and toss it remains the standard rule of thumb: get rid of that standing water around your home so the mosquitoes can't breed.
