Maine’s mosquito season shows no sign of abating, particularly along the marshy coast and even inland where the blood-sucking pests usually die off by early August, a state entomologist said Tuesday.

“It’s an odd year,” said Richard Dearborn, an entomologist with the Maine Forest Service. He said the moisture-loving insects should have died off in inland areas because of the droughtlike conditions of the summer.

Along the coast, where mosquitoes breed prolifically in the salt marshes, a respite from the insects shouldn’t be expected until the first frost in late September or early October, he said.

State officials are monitoring Maine mosquitoes for the deadly West Nile virus, and Dearborn said there isn’t any reason to be concerned yet.

A dead bird found in Orono early this month tested positive for the virus, which can be particularly dangerous to the elderly. But no human case has been reported in Maine.

Dearborn said the state is monitoring two sites in Portland and Lewiston where mosquitoes are breeding and regularly testing the mosquitoes for the virus.

He said all of the tests so far have been negative.

State officials chose the more southern areas to test because the virus is likely to show up in the south before it heads up the coast or to the interior of Maine.

A state committee also is tracking West Nile cases and would become more alarmed if humans began being infected in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

The committee has set up a hot line so people can call in any reports of dead birds. The number is (888) 697-5846.

“The level of risk is very low in Maine,” Dearborn said. That’s based on the lone infected bird found in Orono.

“If I liked to fish or hike, I wouldn’t hesitate to do that. I don’t think the risk is high enough to drive people indoors,” he said.

But on Great and Little Cranberry islands, located a few miles off the coast of Mount Desert Island, the mosquito problem has driven residents not only indoors but also to form a committee to study ways to kill off the pests.

Hugh Dwelley, chairman of the study committee, said the panel is considering recommending dragonflies, which make a feast of mosquitoes, or so-called Dunks, which are poison-filled discs that can be thrown into water bodies to kill off mosquitoes.

“Our mind is open to anything and everything” that might be employed to kill the pests, Dwelley said.

First Selectman Richard Beal said Cranberry islanders are worried about the threat of West Nile virus, but no infected dead birds have been found.

Historically, the Cranberry islands have had a problem with mosquitoes because of their swampy, mossy areas, Beal said

Beal said that although island residents are being vigilant about watching for dead birds, they mostly just want to get rid of the pests.

Dearborn cautioned residents against using any pesticides in water without first checking with the state Department of Environmental Protection to make sure the poison will not affect shellfish or other nontargeted species.

“People who do anything to alleviate mosquitoes really need to look at the big picture and be aware of the ramifications of their actions,” he said.