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Health Department Urges Residents To Protect Against Mosquitoes
July 10, 2012
The Escambia County Health Department is urging the public to take steps to protect against mosquitoes, including a tip to “drain and cover” to protect against mosquitoes.
The health department advises residents to drain standing water in and around homes to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Mosquitoes are known carriers of West Nile Virus, and other disease-causing viruses.
“Given the recent rains we have experienced, mosquitoes may be more prevalent in the upcoming weeks,” says Dr. John J. Lanza, director of the Escambia County Health Department. “Individuals should do all they can to avoid mosquito bites, in order to prevent the spread of infections carried by the insect.”
Adult mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing or slow-moving water. Even one teaspoon of water is adequate for breeding. Mosquitoes are most active during evenings, nighttime and the dawn hours. Being outdoors at these times increases people’s chances of being bitten unless they cover their skin with clothes and/or an effective mosquito repellant.
The health department also offers these tips:
Drain standing water.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected. Water held in open containers is also a potential breeding location for mosquitoes.
- Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and pets’ water bowls at least twice a week.
- When protecting boats and vehicles from rain, ensure that tarps don’t accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep them adequately chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
Cover skin with clothing or repellent and cover doors and windows.
- Clothing – Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves when mosquitoes are most prevalent.
- Use repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535.
- Always use repellents according to the label. Using too much repellent doesn’t make it work better or last longer.
- Re-apply mosquito repellent as often as needed to prevent mosquito landings and bites.
- When using repellent on children, apply to hands first and then rub on their arms and legs.
- Instead of repellent, use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.
- Place screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Always repair broken screens.
Comments
3 Responses to “Health Department Urges Residents To Protect Against Mosquitoes”
I would like to pass along a hint I received from a friend. You can use Listerine or the generic brand of Listerine in a spray bottle as a mosquito repellant. Just spray anywhere you need to spray around your home, the porches, clothing, etc. Haven’t tried it yet, but at his point am willing to try anything once.
While I agree that the mosquito trucks need to be out more than they are, its not just the driver that costs $$, but the poison too.
That mosquito jeep needs to be running 24/7. If you cannot afford a driver in the budget, call for volunteers. I would be happy to go down every backroad and lane in NEC, spray all creation!