Enjoying the great outdoors means sharing the environment with nature. Although sharing space with various backyard or neighborhood birds and small animals is acceptable for many people, insects that seem to multiply when the weather warms up are another issue entirely.
Mosquitoes can be both a nuisance and a threat to human and pet health. Depending on where in the world they’re located, mosquitoes may carry and transmit many different illnesses. According to the American Mosquito Control Association, more than one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. From malaria to dengue to Zika to West Nile virus, mosquitoes carry scores of diseases. Even when mosquitoes do not transmit illness, their bites can cause severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva.
The U.S. Military Health System says controlling the mosquito population and protecting against mosquito bites remain the most effective ways for people to safeguard themselves against mosquito-borne illnesses.
Avoid mosquito bites
The following are some preventative methods to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.
• When practical, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors.
• Rely on closed doors and screened-in areas to keep mosquitoes outside. When sleeping outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are present, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
• Keep window and door screens in good repair, replacing any with holes large enough for mosquitoes to get through.
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registers insect repellents. When used as directed, these insect repellents are safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The Cambridge Public Health Department notes that alternatives to DEET include Picaridin (a chemical repellent) and oil of lemon eucalyptus (a plant-based repellent).
Reduce mosquito populations
Homeowners and business owners can take several steps to limit local mosquito populations.
• Empty items that hold water, such as birdbaths, pool covers, buckets, and flower pots, as mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water.
• Clean out rain gutters and downspouts to prevent pooling water.
• When standing water cannot be removed, it can be treated to control mosquito larvae. A bacterial insecticide called Bacillus thurengiensis israeliensis, or BTI, targets mosquito and black fly larvae without harming the water or other animal life.
Mosquitoes can make people and animals very sick. Controlling their populations and preventing bites can help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses.
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