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Tips to Protect Your Family From Harmful Mosquito Bites
Mosquito-proofing your home and property is one of the most effective ways to help reduce the mosquito population in your community. If they can’t breed, they can’t survive in great numbers. And the fewer mosquitoes there are, the lower the risk of getting bitten.
It won't take you very long -- perhaps as little as a few minutes -- to mosquito-proof your home and property. Here are some ideas on what you can do.
1. Empty standing water in ponds, ditches, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, garden equipment and cans.
2. Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays at least once a week if not more often.
3. Check for items that might hold water including barbecues, toys, pool covers, tarps, plastic sheeting, boats, canoes and trash.
4. Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
5. Drain or fill temporary pools with dirt.
6. Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
7. Keep swimming pools treated and circulating and rain gutters unclogged.
8. Make sure window and door screens are "bug tight."
9. Replace your outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights.
10. Use landscaping to eliminate stagnant water that collects on your property.
11. Consider buying a mosquito trap to lure flying insects away from you and your family when outdoors.
12. Contact your local mosquito control district or health department. Neighborhoods are occasionally sprayed to prevent disease and nuisance caused by large mosquito numbers. If you have any questions about mosquitoes and their control, call your local authorities.
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