Are you unknowingly hosting uninvited guests in your backyard? Take time now to protect yourself against mosquito bites. Those pesky little creatures can also carry a variety of diseases that pose a threat to your health.
In Nevada, West Nile Virus is the most common mosquito borne disease, however Saint Louis Encephalitis and Western Equine Encephalitis virus are sometimes found in the area as well. Taking proactive steps now can help prevent encounters with mosquitos this summer.
You can fight mosquito bites and help prevent illnesses using a two-pronged approach:
• Prevent mosquitos from breeding
• Prevent mosquitos from biting you
Mosquito breeding prevention
Mosquitos can grow from an egg to an adult in 7-10 days. You can prevent mosquitos from migrating and breeding in your backyard by taking the following preventive actions.
• Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected. Do not forget to clear any clogged gutters that might hold water. Mosquitos can breed in a very small amount of water and can lay hundreds of eggs at a time!
• Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances, and other items not being used. These items can also harbor mosquito larvae.
• Empty and clean birdbaths, toys, buckets, saucers, and any pet water bowls at least once a week.
• Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
• Eliminate puddles caused by leaking pipes and faucets, sprinklers, and condensation from air conditioners.
• Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep the pool chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use and store them upside-down, if possible, to prevent water accumulation.
• Use larvicide to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be dumped out.
• Cover any pipe openings or containers without lids with mesh that has holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
Mosquito bite prevention
You can discourage mosquitoes from biting you by using the right insect repellent and by taking other preventive actions.
• Cover yourself with protective clothing while outdoors and keep doors and windows closed to prevent mosquitoes from flying indoors.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long sleeves while outside when and where mosquitoes are most prevalent to discourage mosquitoes from biting you.
• Treat outer clothing such as boots, pants, socks, and shirts with permethrin to repel mosquitos. Do not use permethrin products directly on your skin.
• Keep any unscreened doors and windows closed to prevent mosquitos from flying inside and use air conditioning when possible.
• Repair window screens and mend any holes or frays in door screens to reduce the chance of mosquitoes coming inside.
• Use insect repellent on bare skin; make sure that the active ingredient in the mosquito repellent you use is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. DEET, picaridin, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) are the most common mosquito and insect repellents sold. Do not use OLE on children under three years old and always follow the product label instructions.
• If you are wearing sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first and then apply insect repellent.
Anyone traveling abroad should take the precautions listed above to protect themselves from mosquitoes in other countries. Mosquitoes in other parts of the world including the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Africa, or Europe might infect you with chikungunya or dengue fever. For information about these diseases, visit the CDCs website.
For information about services and programs available to you through Carson City Health and Human Services, visit www.gethealthycarsoncity.org, or call 775-887-2190. You can also find us at 900 E. Long St., in Carson City, or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/cchhs, X @CCHealthEd, or Instagram @GetHealthCarsonCity.