In light of recent rains and the recent detection of mosquitoes in Richardson carrying the West Nile virus (see story above under News), it’s even more important to watch for standing puddles of water around your home that could serve as breeding grounds for the insects. As part of the “Four Ds of Protection” from mosquito bites, health professionals recommend you drain standing water to lower mosquito-borne virus infection risks.
Most mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, about a hundred at a time, with new adult mosquitoes produced within 7-10 days. Which means, if you’ve got a lot of standing water around your property from the rainfall, drain it as soon as possible to avoid thousands of new mosquitoes.
The complete “Four Ds of Protection” to help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses are:
- DRAIN standing water
- Use insect repellent containing DEET
- Avoid being outdoors at DUSK/DAWN
- DRESS to protect yourself with long sleeves and pants
The Health Department continues to work closely with state and federal groups to trap, test and respond to mosquito-borne diseases through targeted sprayings, educational campaigns and preventative measures.
More information, visit www.cor.net/mosquito
