It’s National Mosquito Control Awareness Week – Here’s what you need to know to keep the Bugs from Biting

June 20 through 26, 2021, is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week! While we are finally recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic, the hot Summer months bring on the bugs, including a yearly onslaught of mosquitoes and their itchy bites! But never fear, the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) is here, and has tips to help you avoid the bites from these vicious blood-suckers.

Standing water, bare skin and dark clothing are three things that attract mosquitoes. The AMCA recommends people follow the three D’s to keep mosquitoes away:

1. Drain:Empty out water containers at least once per week.
2. Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing when spending a lot of time outdoors.  This is also a great way to keep the sun’s UV rays from damaging your delicate skin.
3. Defend: Properly apply an EPA-registeredrepellent such as DEET, picaridin, IR 3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus.

Reduce sites on your property where mosquitoes may develop by eliminating containers that may hold water, such as disposing of any tires –water in tires can allow thousands of mosquitoes; drilling holes in the bottom of recycling containers; clearing roof gutters of debris; cleaning pet water dishes regularly; checking and emptying children’s toys; and changing the water in bird baths at least once a week.

“Encouraging your neighbors to also eliminate sources on their own property is critical to a community-wide mosquito control program,” says AMCA Technical Advisor David Brown. “Mosquitoes require stagnant water to complete their life cycle. If their water source is eliminated, so are their offspring.”

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. Their bites can spread diseases such as Zika and West Nile Virus. “While we are getting vaccinated against Covid-19, it is important to realize that there are NO vaccines for the diseases mosquitoes may carry in the United States,” said Brown. “We must be prepared to prevent mosquitoes from developing and protect ourselves when they are around through sustained safe and effective mosquito control measures and through the use of protective personal repellents.”

AMCA stresses mosquito-borne diseases do not only affect humans –they also kill countless birds, reptiles, dogs, horses and endangered species each year. Awareness of these diseases –including canine heartworm, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Western Equine Encephalitis –is another important component of mosquito control the general public must embrace.

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Photo Credit: Surapol USanakul / Shutterstock.com