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Protecting
Yourself From Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
Auburn, Aug 30, 2002
--- Mosquitoes are the primary carriers for West Nile virus and
Eastern equine encephalitis. It's clear the key to preventing or
controlling future outbreaks of both diseases among people, horses
and other livestock is to prevent or limit exposure to mosquitoes.
First, reduce
mosquito-breeding sites. Reducing the population of mosquitoes can
help prevent the spread of these diseases.
You should eliminate
potential sources of stagnant water in which mosquitoes might breed.
Dispose of any water-holding containers, including discarded tires.
Store containers, such as buckets, in garages or barns. If you must
leave them outside, turn them over so that they do not collect
rainwater. Turn over plastic wading pools or wheelbarrows when not
in use.
Clean roof gutters
annually.
Do not allow water to
stagnate in birdbaths. Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with
fish. People with lily ponds can get mosquito fish (Gambusia), which
eat larvae and live happily with goldfish.
If the water is
constantly moving in an ornamental pond, there generally is not a
problem with mosquitoes, unless there are aquatic plants for the
larvae to hide among. There are products available to control
mosquitoes in the pond. Mosquito dunks or floating Bt briquettes
control mosquito larvae and do not harm fish. One briquette lasts
about 30 days and treats 100 square feet of surface water. You can
find them in pet stores or stores that sell pond supplies.
Clean and chlorinate
swimming pools that are not in use. Mosquitoes can breed in the
water that collects on swimming pool covers. Use landscaping to
eliminate standing water that collects on your property. Mosquitoes
can breed in any puddle that lasts more than four days.
You may want to fill
tree stumps with sand to prevent pools of water from forming in
them.
Clean livestock-watering
troughs monthly.
Also, keeping vegetation
trimmed low can eliminate resting sites for mosquitoes in the
daytime.
Decrease your animals'
exposure to adult mosquitoes, and reduce your personal exposure.
Housing animals in
structures with well-maintained insect screening can reduce exposure
to adult mosquitoes. Be sure to first eliminate mosquitoes from
inside the structure. This may be accomplished through a number of
means, including the use of mosquito
adulticides. In
addition, use of fans may reduce potential access of mosquitoes to
equine or other livestock hosts.
You can continue your
outdoor activities, but you should reduce your risk of being bitten
by mosquitoes.
Make sure windows and
doors have screens that are in good repair. Minimize time spent
outdoors between dusk and dawn. Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a
long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods or when mosquitoes
are most active.
You may want to use a
mosquito repellent, applied according to label directions, when you
are outdoors.
Use of insect repellents
may be of some value in decreasing exposure of horses to adult
mosquitoes. Due to practical limitations in the coverage area that
may be achieved and due to limited duration of effectiveness,
repellents should not be solely relied upon to prevent mosquito
exposure. Repellents should be used according to their label
instructions regarding appropriate species, method of application
and other precautions.
Source: Ashley
Lovell, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
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