Thick Clouds of Mosquitoes Kill Livestock after Hurricane Laura
By WWL
VILLE PLATTE, La. — Experts in southwest Louisiana say clouds of mosquitoes have been so thick since Hurricane Laura that they're killing cattle and horses.
Veterinarian Craig Fontenot of Ville Platte says the swarms drain animals' blood and animals also become exhausted from constantly moving in an attempt to avoid the biting insects.
LSU AgCenter agent Jeremy Hebert said he has spoken to several cattle owners who have lost as many as eight animals. He had also heard of three mosquito-related deaths of horses.
Fontenot estimates that hundreds of cattle and a few horses have been killed in his five-parish area.
“There’s a lot on the verge of dying,” Fontenot said.
A photo he took shows mosquitoes blanketing a bull's belly.