|
What
Can I Do About West Nile Virus?
The two most important
things you can do to reduce the spread of West Nile Virus are to:
- Eliminate mosquito
breeding sites on your property
- Reduce exposure
to adult mosquitoes, not only for yourself and your family, but also
for your animals
Since mosquitoes lay
their eggs in stagnant water, reducing or eliminating standing water sources
will help to keep mosquitoes on your property to a minimum. Mosquitoes
may breed in any puddle that lasts for more than four days.
Here are some steps
you can take to minimize standing water:
- Dispose of old
tires - they are an excellent mosquito breeding location
- Keep rain gutters
and downspouts clear of leaves and other debris
- Repair leaky outdoor
faucets, pumps, drains, livestock waterers, and similar devices
- Fill or drain any
areas on your property that typically collect water
- Discard any unneeded
objects that could hold water, such as cans, bottles, or flower pots
- Change water in
birdbaths, pet dishes, drip trays, and similar items at least once a
week
- Turn over wheelbarrows,
wading pools and other water-collecting equipment when not in use
- Keep trash containers
covered
- Drill holes in
the bottom of containers that cannot be discarded and must be left outdoors
- Keep swimming pools
properly maintained, and cover when not in use. Be sure pool covers
cannot hold pockets of water
- Remove tree stumps
that can hold water
- Consider aerating
ornamental ponds or stocking them with fish (fish will eat mosquito
larvae)
- Remind or help
neighbors to eliminate breeding sites on their properties
- Ask for help from
your local mosquito control authority - they can assess the exposure
risks for your property and offer suggestions for mosquito control
Protect yourself and
your family from exposure to mosquitoes by doing the following:
- Make sure that
the windows and doors of your home have screens, and that they are in
good repair
- Take normal steps
to prevent insect bites
- Wear shoes, socks,
long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of
time, or when mosquitoes are most active (between dusk and dawn)
- Consider the use
of mosquito repellent, according to directions, when it is necessary
to be outdoors. Wash all treated skin and clothing when returning indoors
Here are some ways
to minimize the exposure of horses to adult mosquitoes (Thanks to the
Pennsylvania Department of Health for these tips):
- Avoid turning on
lights inside the stable during the evening and overnight hours. Mosquitoes
are attracted to yellow incandescent bulbs.
- If light is needed
near the stable, place incandescent bulbs outside the stable to attract
mosquitoes away from the horses. Black lights (bug zappers) don't attract
mosquitoes well.
- Reduce the number
of birds in and around the stable area. Eliminate roosting areas in
the rafters of the stable. Certain species of wild birds (crows, jays,
magpies, and ravens) are thought to be the main reservoir for the virus.
Although pigeons have been shown to become infected with West Nile Virus,
they do not appear to act as reservoirs and therefore dont transmit
the virus to mosquitoes.
- Periodically look
around the property for dead birds, such as crows. Any suspicious birds
should be reported to the Utah Department of Health, Bureau of Epidemiology
at 1-801-538-6191. Use gloves to handle dead birds and place the birds
in plastic bags, as directed by the Department of Health.
- Topical preparations
containing mosquito repellents are available for horses. Read the product
label before using.
- Fogging of stable
premises can be done in the evening to reduce mosquitoes; read directions
carefully before using.
For additional
information:
|
|