Mosquito Protection and Contol
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Jeff Seiler, County Extension Director
June 2008
Everyone is outside more at this time of year. You may be working or playing, but chances are you are probably spending a lot more time outdoors lately. There is a risk of mosquito bites every time you work outside or in the woods. In addition to being uncomfortable, mosquito insect bites can cause illnesses, which include several types of encephalitis and West Nile virus. The actual bite comes from the evening and nighttime feeding female.
Summertime is the favorite time of year for many folks, but it’s also mosquito season. Wet weather and high humidity during warm weather rapidly increases mosquito populations. More insects generate more bites and a greater likelihood for the spread of disease.
Annual West Nile virus outbreaks are increasingly in the news. You do need to be aware of potential health issues and to prevent mosquito bites. However, the chances of getting the disease are quite low. So the good news is, human illness from West Nile virus is rare in North America, even in areas where the virus has been reported. The bad news is, if you work or play outside or in the woods, your chances for bites go up which increases your exposure to mosquito-borne disease.
Here are some tips to help you reduce the risk of mosquito bites:
Reduce your risk of exposure by staying indoors during peak mosquito feeding hours (from dusk until dawn).
Outdoors and in a forest, wear clothing that helps you blend in with the background. Mosquitoes hone in on color contrast and movement.
Apply insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when you're outdoors. Other recommended repellents include Picaridin and oil of lemon-eucalyptus.
When ever possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, socks and long pants.
Avoid perfumes, colognes, fragrant hair sprays, lotions and soaps, which attract mosquitoes.
Avoid lingering in places where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Usually this is around standing water.
Spray a pyrethrin into the air when confined to a certain outside area.
Another great way to prevent mosquito bites is to take away their breeding sites, which include any areas of standing water. Eliminating these areas around your home will greatly reduce mosquito populations nearby. You might think, “I don’t have any standing water near the house”. Well, you may have to look a little closer. Even a very small amount of water can lead to more mosquitoes. Here are just a few places where standing water can serve as mosquito breeding grounds:
Clogged gutters, flowerpots and saucers, wheelbarrows, buckets, trash cans, recycling containers, discarded tires, tarps, pool covers, and children’s toys left outside. In addition, there are those structures that are supposed to have water such as birdbaths, small wading pools and pet water dishes. You need to make sure to change the water in these containers frequently so they don’t become mosquito-breeding areas.
Remember to protect yourself from mosquito bites and eliminate as many breeding grounds as possible. Taking some extra precautions this year can lead to a much more enjoyable summer.
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Jeffrey E. Seiler
County Extension Director - Jackson/Swain Counties
NC Cooperative Extension - NC State University
Jackson (828) 586-4009
http://jackson.ces.ncsu.edu
Swain (828) 488-3848
http://swain.ces.ncsu.edu