Personal Protection
The best way to protect yourself and your family from mosquito-borne diseases is to prevent mosquito bites. Residents can take the following steps to Fight the Bite:
- Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when possible. Our primary vectors of diseases are most active during this time period.
- Use insect repellents that contain EPA-registered active ingredients, such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always follow product’s label when using repellents. For tips on applying repellents, click here or visit the CDC's webite here. To help find the right repellents for you, you can visit the EPA's webite here.
- Sit in an air stream of a fan outdoors when possible. Several mosquito species are weak fliers, and the constant stream of air will deter them.
- Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants, when possible. For prolonged outdoor activities, such as camping, you can use clothing or gear treated with Permethrin for added protection against mosquito bites. DO NOT use Permethrin directly on skin.
Home Protection
The key to reducing mosquito populations is to deny them a place to lay their eggs. There are many things you can do to reduce mosquito populations around your home. In peak mosquito season, mosquitoes can develop from their egg to adult in as little as five days! By taking these simple steps once a week, you can make a big impact on the mosquito populations around your home:
- Eliminate standing water around your home. Mosquitoes lay their eggs on top or on the edges of standing water, and even small amounts of water are enough for certain species of mosquitoes. Buckets, tarps, flowerpots, and other containers can easily collect rainwater and can become ideal habitats for mosquitoes. Tip over and toss any containers in your yard. When not in use, store containers upside down and preferably in a shed or underneath an awning/car port.
- Refresh water weekly. For containers that can’t be removed, like bird baths or kiddie pools, empty and replace the water at least once a week to disrupt mosquito development.
- Scrub the sides of containers like pet water bowls and bird baths to loosen deposited eggs.
- Inspect swimming pools, fountains, ponds, and other large water features to make sure they’re working properly, and the water is circulating. Mosquitoes lay eggs in stagnant water, so when these systems function as intended, they shouldn’t become habitats for mosquitoes. If the water isn’t moving, residents can treat these water features with mosquito larvicide or contact us to request mosquitofish or copepods.
- Check rain barrels, and make sure they are screened with tight mesh that prevents mosquitoes from depositing eggs and emerging. We recommend that collected water is used in a week.
- Clean gutters regularly. Clogged gutters and drains trap water and create hidden mosquito habitats. Keeping them clear prevents buildup.
- Repair screens on windows and doors. Even small holes allow access for mosquitoes and other pests into your home. Remind everyone to keep screen doors closed to keep mosquitoes from entering your home.
- Maintain lawns. Cut weeds, mow lawns and water carefully to prevent standing water. Adult mosquitoes rest in vegetation during the day, unkept landscaping makes your home the perfect place for adult mosquitoes to call home.
- Inspect natural containers on your property. Certain species will use non-manmade containers like tree holes and bromeliads to lay their eggs.
Pet Prevention
Mosquitoes are not only a concern for our health but also the health of our beloved family pets. Heartworm disease, or dirofilariasis, is caused by the parasitic roundworm Dirofilaria immitis. It is common in the United States, with the highest prevalence being in the Southeastern and Gulf Coast regions.
Heartworms are not transmitted directly between pets. They require mosquitoes, also called an “intermediate host,” to infect pets. Many mosquito species are capable of transmitting heartworms. In our region, Culex quinquefasciatus is the primary vector.
Dogs are the primary host for heartworm infection, but cats, ferrets, and rarely humans can be affected. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round heartworm prevention with annual testing for dogs and cats, along with reducing mosquito exposure. Your veterinarian can help you develop a comprehensive heartworm preventative for your pet.
More information can be found on the American Heartworm Society’s website: https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources
For other local resources for you and your pets, check out The Inner Pup’s website: https://www.theinnerpup.org/
