West Nile Virus

Prevention and Personal Protection

How can I reduce the number of mosquitoes around my home and neighborhood?

Decrease the places where mosquitoes breed. Mosquitoes reproduce by laying eggs on standing water. Mosquitoes can develop in any standing water that lasts more than four days. Even a small bucket with standing water can become home to up to 1,000 mosquitoes. Here are some tips to remove standing water:

Containers:

• Throw away or empty tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or other containers.
• Remove old tires, and turn over wheelbarrows.

Ponds and pools:

• Do not allow water gardens or ornamental ponds to stand still or stagnate.
• Use mosquito fish in ponds or water gardens.
• Turn over wading pools when not in use.
• Change the water in birdbaths at least once a week.
• Keep swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated. Empty water that collects on swimming pool covers.

Other standing water

• Fill in puddles. Report large areas of standing water at www.mchealth.org/vector/standwater.html.
• Clean rain gutters so water flows freely.

How can I protect myself and family?

Here are the best ways to decrease the chances of mosquito bites:

• Install or repair all window and door screens.
• Consider staying indoors during peak mosquito biting times, dusk to dawn.
• Wear long-sleeved clothing and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
• Avoid perfumes and colognes when outdoors for long periods of time.
• Use a mosquito repellent containing 20-30% DEET (a chemical used as insect repellent) for adults and no more than 10% for children when outdoors. Do not use mosquito repellent containing DEET on children under three years of age. Read carefully and follow all directions on the insect repellent package.
• Hunters should wear gloves when handling and cleaning animals to prevent blood exposure to bare hands. Game meat should be cooked thoroughly.
• Limit outdoor activities when advised by local officials.

Page updated March 05, 2008