TOP 4 TIPS TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES

TOP 4 TIPS TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES

I think everyone looks forward to April, I know I sure do. Everyday the landscape is more and more alive. About the only thing I don’t like is that on the warmer April days the mosquitoes start to make their presence known. While their bites are mostly just a nuisance, I could live without them. I guess, for the most part, we’re lucky in Michigan because we don’t have too many mosquito-born diseases. At least not as many as a lot of other places in the U.S. – like the Zika Virus they’re battling in the south.

I think West Nile Virus is the worst mosquito-borne disease we have to face in Michigan. West Nile Virus can be a serious, life-altering and even fatal disease, so it’s worth the time and effort it takes to prevent mosquito bites. This is especially true in the late summer when the mosquito species that transmits West Nile Virus becomes most active.

Mosquito-borne diseases can be transmitted to humans or pets with just one bite. Follow these tips to help prevent infection for West Nile virus or other mosquito-borne diseases:

* Use mosquito repellent to reduce your risk of mosquito bites. This would include anytime you are working or playing outdoors.
* Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors – preferably light colored clothing.
* Repair any damaged door or window screens.
* Eliminate as many mosquito breeding sites as possible on your property.

You can find more information on mosquitoes and  what to do to eliminate mosquito breeding sites on our Mosquito Control page.

Mosquito photo courtesy of Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org

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