Mosquito Prevention

The Florida Department of Health in Alachua County urges residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites year-round.

Drain and Cover!

DRAIN standing water to stop mosquitoes from multiplying.

DRAIN: water from garbage cans, house gutters, pool covers, coolers, toys, flower pots or any other containers where sprinkler or rain water has collected.

DISCARD: Old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.

EMPTY and CLEAN: Birdbaths and pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.

PROTECT: Boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.

MAINTAIN: The water balance (pool chemistry) of swimming pools. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

COVER your skin with clothing and use mosquito repellent.

CLOTHING: If you must be outside when mosquitoes are active, cover up. Wear shoes, socks, long pants, and long sleeves.

REPELLENT: Apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing. Always use repellents according to the label. Repellents with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and IR3535 are effective. Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months.

COVER doors and windows with screens to keep mosquitoes out.

Keep mosquitoes out of your house. Repair broken screens on windows, doors, porches, and patios.

Repellent Information

Always read label directions carefully for the approved usage before applying a repellent to skin. Some repellents are not suitable for children.

Products with concentrations of up to 30 percent DEET are generally recommended. Other EPA-approved repellents contain picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. These products are generally available at local pharmacies. Look for active ingredients to be listed on the product label.

Apply insect repellent to exposed skin or onto clothing, but not under clothing.

In protecting children, read label instructions to be sure the repellent is age-appropriate. Mosquito repellents containing oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under the age of 3 years. DEET is not recommended on children younger than 2 months old.

Infants should be kept indoors or mosquito netting should be used over carriers when mosquitoes are present.

If additional protection is necessary, apply a permethrin repellent directly to your clothing. Again, always follow the manufacturer’s directions.

What The County Is Doing:

• One of the ways that we assess the potential for EEE and WNV is the use of chickens as sentinels to detect virus activity. We have strategically located six flocks of chickens across the county. Mosquitoes feed on the chickens and if infected, pass the infection on to the chicken. The infection to the chicken leaves antibodies to WNV or EEE, which we can then detect. Blood from the chickens is tested to look for signs of the arbovirus. If virus is found and mosquitoes are biting, mosquito control efforts will increase. Press releases and public education will remind people to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
• The County treats potential mosquito breeding retention basins by "larviciding." They use a naturally occurring bacteria. Bacillus thuringiensis, car. israelensis or BTI, that's deadly to mosquito larvae and harmless to other living things. BTI may be placed in standing water in the form of floating tablets which release the BTI slowly.

Links

Florida Department of Health - Mosquito Borne and other Insect Borne Diseases