Aside from being itchy and annoying, the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito can spread a viral infection called dengue. A female mosquito will lay hundreds of eggs in her one-month life; these eggs will grow up to become adult biting mosquitoes. Humans become infected with the dengue virus after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
•• Mosquitoes need just a little bit of water to lay their eggs and become adults. •• The female mosquito lays her eggs on the walls of water-filled containers inside and outside the house. These eggs stick to the container like glue and will remain there until scrubbed off. The next time the water level rises to cover the eggs, they hatch and mature through larval and pupae phases before becoming adult mosquitoes, all in about a week. •• Adult mosquitoes usually live inside and outside and bite throughout the day. •• It only takes a few infected mosquitoes to produce large dengue outbreaks in the community and to put your family at risk of becoming sick.
STEPS:
1.
Protect your family and community. Eliminate standing water in and around your home. •• Drain and dump standing water found inside and outside your home. Buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flowerpots and vases, tires, and cans make great places for mosquitoes to lay eggs. •• Weekly, empty and wash out containers with a brush or sponge to remove mosquito eggs. •• Throw away, turn over, or store under a roof any containers that could collect water.
2.
Don’t allow mosquitoes to lay eggs. Cover water storage containers. •• Always place a tight lid on containers used for water storage (buckets, cisterns, rain barrels) so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs. •• Use mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito to cover containers without lids
3.
If you have standing water in fountains or ponds not easily drained: •• At least weekly, empty ornamental fountains, non chlorinated swimming pools and bird baths. •• If feasible install a pump to circulate water.
4.
If you have a septic tank, follow these steps: •• Repair cracks or gaps. •• Cover open vent or plumbing pipes with wire mesh; use mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
Protect Yourself and Family from Mosquito Bites
Keep the Inside of Your Home Mosquito-free •• Use screens on doors and windows and don’t leave doors propped open for mosquitoes to fly inside. •• Don’t allow mosquitoes to fly inside your home. If you have an air conditioner, use it instead of opening windows and doors. •• Weekly, look for and dump out any standing water where mosquitoes lay eggs. •• Kill mosquitoes inside your home. If using insecticide, always follow label instructions.
Prevent Mosquito Bites •• When outside, use insecticides such as permethrin (pesticide and repellent) and allethrin (candles and lanterns). •• When weather permits, wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and closed shoes to avoid mosquito bites. •• Use repellents containing DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), picaridin, IR3585, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol. These products provide long-lasting bite protection. Repellents should always be used according to label instructions.
