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MOSQUITO CONTROL AND PERSONAL PROTECTION TIPS

  There are some control measures people can take around their homes to reduce the breeding areas for mosquitoes.  Female mosquitoes lay from 100 to 300 eggs at a time, and it takes from 7 to 10 days to go from the egg stage to the adult.  The larvae that hatch from the eggs must have standing or stagnant water to develop into adults.

The female mosquito rests in cool, shaded areas during the day and becomes active at dusk or when disturbed. Mosquitoes flourish when nighttime temperatures are above 55 degrees F. The female bites in order to have a blood meal   to develop the eggs in her body.   A few days later she goes out to lay her eggs and must find standing or stagnant water on which to lay them.  Control measures you can use to reduce mosquitoes around your home include eliminating any standing water such as:

1. Eliminate trash that may collect water such as old buckets, jars, can, bottles, and tires.
2. Keep water clean in children's wading pools and drain when not in use.
3. Change water in birdbaths, fountains, and troughs weekly.
4. Keep weeds and grass cut short.
5. Keep ditches and streams adjoining your property free of grass clippings, garbage, and other debris which may obstruct the natural flow of the water.
6. Make sure stored boats are covered or water drains out of them completely.  Store small boats upside down.
7. Clean roof gutters
8. Drain water from storage tarps.
9. Repair leaking outdoor faucets, spinklers, and hoses.

Personal protection measures are especially important for infants and toddlers and include:

1. Wear loose fitting long sleeved shirts and long pants, socks and hats when outdoors from dusk to dawn or during mid day if in wooded or brushy areas or tall grass.   Insect repellents can be applied to the clothes including the hat.
2. Insect repellents containing DEET should be applied sparingly and only to exposed skin.   Concentrations greater than 35% may be toxic.   Concentrations vary from 10% to 100% so read the labels.   Do not put on wounds or areas with broken skin.   Pregnant women should avoid exposure to DEET if possible.   Do not breathe it in or get it in the eyes.
3. Do not apply repellents with DEET to the hands of children who may rub it into their eyes.   Rather than applying repellents containing DEET directly on children, apply to your own hands and then put it on the child.   Spray children’s clothes with repellents before putting them on to avoid inhalation.
4. DEET is usually effective for approximately 4 hours.   Wash all treated skin and clothing with soap and water after returning indoors.
5. Mosquito coils, candles, etc. may be helpful but keep out of reach of young children.
6. There are many natural repellents on the market which may or may not be effective.
7. Keep grass or weeds cut short.

Scratching of mosquito bites may lead to secondary bacterial infections especially in young children.   Treatment options include preparations designed to reduce the itching such as:

1. Cool oatmeal baths.
2. Soothing anti-itch lotions, creams, or sprays available over the counter.   Ask your pharmacist or health care provider for recommendations.
3. Over the counter oral antihistamine medications.   Consult your pharmacist or health care provider for recommendations.
4. Do not use both topical and oral Benadryl at the same time as some of the topical Benadryl may be absorbed into the body resulting in an overdose.

For further information contact the Health Department at 751-8110 or your personal physician or health care provider.

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Last Updated 4/25/03