5 prevention tips from the pros
Gone are the days when mosquitoes were associated only with the irksomely itchy welts that accompanied their bite. Today, we know there are far worse associations to make with these blood-sucking pests, such as the health threats they pose to us humans in our daily lives—even in our own backyards.
Thanks to professional pest control, we rarely see certain of the serious, and sometimes even deadly, mosquito-transmitted illnesses, such as malaria, in the U.S. But you should remember that there are still harmful diseases, including the Zika and West Nile viruses, present in the states, that can be transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. To protect against these health threats, arm yourself with knowledge about each disease and general mosquito-bite prevention.
Prevention Tips
According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) the main ways to avoid mosquito bites and better protect against mosquito-transmitted diseases include:
- Applying insect repellant containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon-eucalyptus or IR3535 when outdoors and use as directed on the product label. Apply repellant on top of sunscreen, and reapply every four to six hours.
- Minimizing outside activity between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active, though it is important to note that mosquitoes that transmit chikungunya (a viral infection that causes fever and joint pain in humans) are active throughout the day.
- Wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts and closed-toe shoes when outdoors.
- Eliminating areas of standing water around your home including clogged gutters, birdbaths, flower pots, tires and kiddie pools or untreated pools. Mosquitoes need only half an inch of water to breed.
- Screening windows and doors, and patching torn screens.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the West Nile virus infection can be found in much of the U.S., including the Northeast. In late 2014, there was reported local transmission of the chikungunya virus in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Zika, which can be particularly dangerous for women in their child bearing years, is the relative newcomer, with mosquito-borne virus transmission so far limited to Florida and Texas in the U.S.
Caution is key. In addition to knowing the risks for our area, it’s important to know the risks, and take appropriate precautions, when you travel. Consult the CDC website to learn more about risks prevalent in specific areas.
At Braman, we’ve developed a program to help you reclaim the comfort of your backyard. Our service, consisting of inspection for potential mosquito breeding places and treatment of mosquito resting places with a mild, safe insecticide, will greatly reduce the incidence of mosquitoes on your property. We will work with you to create a customized treatment plan based on your location, property, family and pets. Give us a call today at 1- 800-338-6757 to schedule a service appointment, or fill out our online form.