National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

June 22 – June 28, 2008

The week of June 22 – June 28, 2008 has been declared the tenth annual

“National Mosquito Control Awareness Week”

by the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA). The AMCA, an international

organization of nearly 2,000 public health professionals, has been dedicated to preserving the public’s health and well-being through safe, environmentally sound mosquito control programs since 1935. During

“Mosquito Week” the AMCA’s goal is to educate the general public about the significance of mosquitoes in

their daily lives and the important service provided by mosquito control workers throughout the United

States and worldwide.

Message from the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project Director:

“We at Norfolk County Mosquito Control are working very hard on your behalf to keep mosquito populations down. This has been a real challenge so far this season due to poor weather conditions and excessive rain late in April. Although we will continue to work to lower the mosquito populations in your area we can not emphasize enough the need for personal protection and prevention. As mentioned below residents should be aware of mosquitoes and understand the extreme importance of avoiding mosquito bites by changing habits and by using mosquito repellents when appropriate.”

“Norfolk County Mosquito Control is helping to increase the quality of life for citizens and stands ready to respond to public health issues such as EEEv and WNv.  The Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project collaborates with the Department of Public Health by submitting mosquitoes weekly from across the county for testing to be used as an early detection system for these viruses.”

THIS YEAR THE MESSAGE IS:

PREVENTION

SUMMER MOSQUITO SAFETY - amca

Summer is upon us and so is mosquito season. Here are a few tips to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne disease.

Mosquito control starts at home.

• Avoid shaded areas where mosquitoes may be resting.
• If possible, schedule your activities to avoid the times when mosquitoes are most active – usually dawn and dusk.
• If you have a deck or patio, light it using General Electric yellow “Bug Lights”. These lights are not repellant, per se, but do not attract mosquitoes like other incandescent lights.
• Mosquitoes are relatively weak fliers, so placing a large fan on your deck or patio can provide an effective low-tech solution.
• Wear protective clothing such as long pants and long sleeve shirts when outdoors.
• Use insect repellents properly. DEET, Picaridin and Oil of Lemon-Eucalyptus are proven to be the most effective. Use repellents only as directed on the label.
• Check your door and window screens for holes and tears that mosquitoes can use to enter your home. Put 16 mesh screening or hardware cloth over bathroom and other vent outlets on your roof.
• Keep pools clean and chlorinated.
• Eliminate all standing water on your property. Don't forget to remind your neighbors, too. Their mosquitoes may also be your mosquitoes.
  - Dispose of any tires. Tires can breed thousands of mosquitoes.
  - Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers.
  - Clear roof gutters of debris.
  - Clean pet water dishes regularly.
  - Check and empty children’s toys.
  - Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
  - Change the water in bird baths and plant pots at least once a week.
  - Canoes, boats, and wading pools should be turned over.
  - Avoid water collecting on pool covers.
  - Plug tree holes and stumps.
  - Fill in or drain puddles and ruts in your yard.
  - Keep shrubbery and weeds trimmed
  - Even the smallest of containers that can collect water can breed hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes. They don't need much water to lay their eggs. (bottles, buckets, overturned garbage can lids, etc.)

Remember, the best protection is prevention!