Mosquitoes are undeniably a nuisance, buzzing around us in the summer and leaving itchy bumps from their bites. They can also be a health hazard, carrying West Nile Virus and other diseases that may infect humans and pets. But you don’t have to let them spoil your summer. There are a number of things you can do to protect your family and pets while enjoying outdoor activities:
- Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so eliminating their breeding places will reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard. Don’t let water stand in birdbaths, wading pools, or other outdoor water features for more than a week. Keep the gutters on your house clean enough that water will not collect and stand in them.
- As much as practically possible, wear light-colored clothing with long sleeves and legs (and tuck your shirt in) when you may be exposed to mosquitoes. The time from dusk to dawn is when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite.
- Spray an insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin and clothing before going outdoors. Do not apply insect repellent to skin that will be covered by clothing.
- Spray your yard with special mosquito spray for long-lasting control of mosquitoes where they hide. It comes in a convenient hose-end applicator bottle that treats up to 7,000 square feet.
- To help make your cookouts and outdoor parties more pleasant, spray mosquito repellent to create a protective barrier around porches, patios, and decks. It provides rapid knockdown and repels mosquitoes for several hours.