Mosquitoborne Disease Prevention Tips

• The best way to prevent mosquito bites is to wear insect repellant containing an active ingredient such as 10% to 30% DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), Picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus [(p-menthane 3,8-diol (PMD)], to exposed skin and clothing when outdoors. It is important to always follow labeled directions for proper use. Medical experts recommend applying repellent with low concentrations (10%) of DEET to infants over 2 months old. Many experts believe that DEET is the best active ingredient to prevent mosquito bites from mosquitoes that cause malaria since it is known to provide long-lasting protection.
• Prevent items such as buckets and tarps from holding standing water.
• If rainwater is collected, cover and seal containers when not collecting rain.
• Empty your outdoor pet's water bowl and refill daily.
• Rinse, scrub, and refill birdbaths weekly.
• Empty plastic wading pools weekly and store indoors when not in use.
• Maintain swimming pools and outdoor hot tubs regularly as recommended by manufacturer.
• Store boats covered or upside down.
• For a water garden or ornamental body of water, use an environmentally safe product to kill the larvae, e.g. BTI, or stock with fish that eat mosquito larvae.
• Regularly clean fallen leaves and debris from roof gutters.
• Trim grass and weeds and dismantle brush to deprive mosquitoes of a habitat.
• Repair or replace all broken or torn window and door screens.
• Repair leaky lawn irrigation spouts.