It’s Spring and mosquito season is about to begin. The Montgomery County Health Department recommends that County residents take precautions to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses by clearing away potential mosquito breeding areas around their home. By removing any standing water from around your property, you can greatly reduce the opportunity for mosquitoes to breed.
Other precautions residents can take include replacing torn screens, cleaning out gutters and emptying and turning over containers around the outside of their homes that have the potential to collect water. Because different breeds of mosquito have different biting habits (time of day that they feed), residents are encouraged to use personal protection throughout the day.
Residents curious as to when the County will begin spraying can sign up for ReadyMontco alerts here.
For more information about mosquito-borne illness, click here.
From the MCHD, here are some tips to reduce mosquito exposure:
• Check and repair windows and screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.
• Survey your property and dispose of containers that can collect standing water such as old tires, cans,
bottles, buckets, and toys.
• After it rains, empty any plant containers, bird baths, flowerpots, kiddie pools, and pool covers to keep water from collecting in these items.
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly and rooftops are free of standing water.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if
not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers.
• Drill several holes in the bottom of recycling buckets so water can drain from them. Trash containers should be covered so no rain can accumulate in them.
• Use an approved mosquito repellant when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are active. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Follow the label directions carefully. Do NOT apply to the face.
• Never allow children to apply repellents. Parents should avoid applying repellents to the hands of children.
• Check with a physician before applying repellents to very young children (less than three years old).
• Avoid mosquito-breeding areas during peak periods of mosquito activity.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, making sure to cover feet and ankles.
• Discuss any concerns with your physician.