Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites

September 17, 2008

Contact: Sandy Kachur

713.439.6292

Due to the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services (HCPHES) cautions residents that mosquito activity is increasing. The combination of storm debris and standing water left behind has produced many more mosquito breeding sites.

HCPHES Mosquito Control is currently conducting county-wide surveillance to detect disease-carrying mosquitoes and determine pest mosquito populations. Ground-based operation (evening spray truck) and aerial treatment operations will be implemented according to on-going surveillance information.

Now is the time to eliminate mosquito breeding habitats from your property.

        • Don’t feed the storm drains. Sweep up lawn clippings, leaves and tree limbs from sidewalks and driveways.

        • Empty any containers that can hold water such as flowerpots, tires, buckets and other outdoor containers.

        • Keep rain gutters clear and draining.

Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.

        • When outdoors (especially between the hours of dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active), use an insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 (Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus). Apply as directed on the label.

        • When possible, wear long-sleeved clothing and long-pants.

Keep mosquitoes out of the house.

        • Make sure window and door screens are in good condition.

        • Seal other openings, such as those around window air conditioning units.

        • When mosquitoes are noticed in the home, use a “flying insect spray”. Be sure to use according to the label.

This entry was posted on 1, September J, 2008 at 16:29 and is filed under Business, Home, Greater Houston/Galveston Area Information, Hurricane Ike. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.