Health & Wellness: Take The Bite Out Of Summer

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Take The Bite Out Of Summer

Daily Bread

A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Proverbs 17:22

Protect yourself from mosquitoes and the illnesses they spread.

As the temperature outside rises, so does the mosquito population.

Mosquitoes are a summer nuisance and can ruin a great picnic in the park, a quiet evening on the front porch or other outdoor activities. But more importantly, they also pose a health threat: transmitting diseases, such as West Nile virus (WNV) and St. Louis encephalitis (SLE).

What can be done to stop mosquitoes in their tracks? Take the first step: Don’t be a mosquito breeder! Mosquitoes can only develop and multiply in standing water. They lay their eggs usually in places where water collects (old tires, tin cans, buckets, gutters, etc.). To reduce the mosquito population, dump all standing water especially after rainfall and remove as many containers as possible.

Because the virus is transmitted to humans and other animals by mosquitoes that have bitten infected birds, the Shelby County Health Department advises individuals to:

Clean rain gutters and downspouts.
Repair failed septic systems.
Make sure all your windows and doors have screens and are in good repair.
Repair leaky outside faucets.
Discard old tires or store inside where rain water can not collect inside tires.
Empty flower pots (including the “drip plates” underneath them), tin cans, buckets, children’s toys – any container that might collect water, especially after rainfall.
Store wheelbarrows, canoes and boats upside down.
Empty, clean and refill birdbaths and small wading pools daily.
Secure swimming pool covers tightly and remove any standing water after rainfall.
Keep grass cut and bushes trimmed.
Empty water being held in knot holes of trees.
Stock ornamental ponds with fish (Gambusia) that eat mosquito larvae (Gambusia fish are available FREE from the Health Department).

Use insect repellants to protect yourself and your family during outside activities. The most effective contains the chemical ingredient N-N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). Make sure it is listed as an active ingredient on the product label and always follow label instructions.

Apply insect repellant sparingly to exposed skin. An effective repellant will contain 20 to 35 percent DEET. For children, avoid products containing more than 10 percent DEET.
Insect repellant should not be applied to children younger than 3. Repellants may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellant to hands of children.
Wear protective clothing such as light-colored, long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks while outdoors. Clothing should be made of tightly woven materials to keep mosquitoes away from the skin. Pant legs should be tucked into shoes or socks and collars should be buttoned. Light-colored clothes are less attractive to mosquitoes.
Limit outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

Published: July 28, 2005
Source: Shelby County Health Department

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