Week 1 with DNREC Fish and Wildlife Division

  I am incredibly honored and excited to be selected as an intern for the summer internship through the NEVBD-TEC Summer Internship Program with DNREC Fish and Wildlife Division. This amazing opportunity allows me to gain hands-on experience, work closely with professionals in the field, and contribute to important environmental work here in Delaware.

The week of 6/2 was my first week, and it was full of new experiences and valuable lessons. On Monday, we went into the marshes to monitor mosquito larvae. We used a dipper to collect samples from different spots and carefully counted the larvae while identifying which stage of development they were in. We also kept track of any "hot spots" — areas that could become problematic breeding grounds and might need extra attention or even pesticide treatment. It was fascinating to learn how the position and appearance of larvae help us determine their growth stage.

 (picture 1. My dip)
On Tuesday, we shifted our focus to tick surveillance. We visited three state parks in Sussex County and conducted flagging surveys by dragging a white cloth along the trails to collect ticks. Every 15 steps, I would stop, check the flag, and collect any ticks into pre-labeled tubes for further analysis. We also measured environmental data like temperature, humidity, wind direction, and speed at each location. Afterward, we brought the samples back to the lab for identification and data analysis.

Wednesday followed a similar routine, but this time, we visited three other parks located in Sussex and Kent counties. The same tick collection method was used, but the new locations allowed us to gather even more diverse data for the ongoing tick surveillance program.

On Thursday, we returned to the marshes to apply pesticides to areas that previously showed high numbers of larvae. We also revisited the marked "hot spots" to make sure mosquito populations were being managed before they could potentially explode in numbers. Due to heavy rain last week, the water levels in the marshes had risen significantly, creating perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes. To prevent a surge in mosquito populations, we opened a dam connecting to the Delaware River to help lower the water levels and dry out the marshes faster, reducing the risk of an outbreak.

Friday was one of my favorite days — we became mosquito detectives! We visited private properties where residents reported mosquito problems. Our job was to investigate and identify the source of the issue. Sometimes we treated standing water areas if necessary, but our goal was always to solve the problem while respecting the local ecosystem. If homeowners weren’t home, we would leave them a helpful note explaining our visit and findings.

That first week taught me so much about mosquito and tick management, environmental monitoring, and the importance of careful observation and intervention. I’m excited for what the coming weeks will bring!

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