West Nile Virus Prevention Tips

The best way to prevent West Nile encephalitis and other mosquito-borne illnesses is to reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home and neighborhood and to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Often, the number of mosquitoes in an area can be reduced by removing sources of standing water around residences. For example, hundreds of mosquitoes can come from water in a single discarded tire.

Individuals can reduce their risk by taking these precautions:

• Get rid of old tires, tin cans, buckets, drums, bottles or any water-holding containers.
• Fill in or drain low places (puddles, ruts, etc.) in the yard.
• Keep drains, ditches and culverts free of weeds and trash so water will drain properly.
• Keep roof gutters free of leaves and other debris.
• Cover trash containers to keep out rainwater.
• Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets.
• Empty plastic wading pools at least once a week and store indoors when not in use.
• Unused swimming pools should be drained and kept dry during the mosquito season.
• Fill in tree rot holes and hollow stumps that hold water.
• Change the water in birdbaths and plant pots or drip trays at least once each week.
• Store boats covered or upside down, or remove rainwater weekly.
• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house so adult mosquitoes will not hide there.
• Make sure ornamental ponds have fish that eat mosquito larvae.
• Repair window screens.
• When outdoors in the evening or when mosquitoes are biting, use personal protection measures to prevent mosquito bites (proper use of insect repellent and appropriate clothing). See the Department’s Web site for specific personal protection recommendations.

 From  Police