-
Minimize time spent outdoors when mosquitoes are most
active, especially between dusk and dawn.
-
Be sure door
and window screens are tight-fitted and in good
repair.
-
Wear shoes,
socks, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when
outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes
are most active. Clothing should be light colored and
made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes
away from the skin.
-
Use mosquito
netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened
structure and to protect small babies when
outdoors.
-
Consider the
use of mosquitoes repellant, according to directions,
when it is necessary to be outdoors.
-
Repellents should
be applied only to exposed skin and/or clothing (as
directed on the product label). Do not use under
clothing.
-
Never use
repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin.
-
Don't apply to eyes
and mouth, and apply sparingly around ears. When using
sprays do not spray directly onto face; spray on hands
first and then apply to face.
-
Do not allow
children to handle the products, and do not apply to
children's hands. When using on children, apply to
your own hands and then put it on the child.
-
Do not spray in
enclosed areas. Avoid breathing a repellent spray, and
do not use it near food.
-
Use just enough
repellent to cover exposed skin and/or clothing. Heavy
application and saturation is unnecessary for
effectiveness; if biting insects do not respond to a
thin film of repellent, apply a bit more.
-
After returning
indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water or
bathe. This is particularly important when repellents
are used repeatedly in a day or on consecutive days.
Also, wash treated clothing before wearing it again.
-
If you suspect that
you or your child are reacting to an insect repellent,
discontinue use, wash treated skin and then call your
local poison control center. If/when you go to a
doctor, take the repellent with you.
-
Dispose of
tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar
water-holding containers that have accumulated on your
property.
-
Empty
standing water from used or discarded tires that may
have accumulated on your property (e.g. tire swings).
-
Drill holes
in the bottom of recycling containers that are left
out of doors.
-
Clean
clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly
if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency
to plug up the drains.
-
Turn over
plastic wading pools when not in use.
-
Turn over
wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in
birdbaths. Change water in birdbaths and wading pools
on a weekly basis.
-
Aerate
ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
-
Clean and
chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. Be
aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that
collects on swimming pool covers.
