Mosquitos really become a bother in the middle of summer and we begin to worry about the West Nile Virus. How can you get rid of these pesky mosquitos and reduce your risk of West Nile Virus transmission? Here are some tips from the South Dakota Department of Health:
- Apply mosquito repellents (DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, 2-undecanone or IR3535) to clothes and exposed skin.
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active.
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Limit time outdoors from dusk to dawn when Culex mosquitos, the primary carrier of WNV in South Dakota, are most active.
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To reduce the mosquito population around your home and property, reduce or eliminate all standing water:
- Remove all discarded tires on your property. Used tires have become an important source of mosquito breeding in the nation.
- Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
- Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
- Change the water in birdbaths.
- Clean vegetation and debris from edges of ponds.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.
- Drain water from pool covers.
- Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.
- Support local mosquito control efforts.