The onset of potentially record-breaking temperatures means many homeowners will be retreating to the comfort of air conditioned environments. It also means more people will delay going outside until the evening hours to enjoy a breath of fresh air and cooler temperatures. This is when it’s going to be important to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Anytime from dusk to dawn is when mosquitoes will be on the prowl and, unfortunately, some of these mosquitoes can carry arbovirus diseases that can be harmful to humans.

Lapeer County has already recorded one case of West Nile Virus in a captive hawk in early June. Last year in Michigan 12 people were sickened with West Nile Virus and six deaths were attributed to Eastern Equine Encephalitis. All of these infections were due to mosquito bites. According to Michigan’s chief medical official, Joneigh Khaldun, “It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to cause a severe illness.”

There are two tactics to employ to help protect yourself, your family, and your pets from the potential harm from mosquito bites:

1. Reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by setting up a mosquito control program.
2. Take personal precautions such as wearing long pants, long sleeve shirts, and using insect repellents when you’re going to be outside, especially from dusk to dawn.

Learn more about how to prevent mosquito bites, and how to set up a mosquito control program, at http://www.owentree.com/mosquito_control.php