Tips for Mosquito Season

Tips for Mosquito Prevention

Warmer weather attracts many insects, including mosquitos. It is important that residents in Montgomery County take precautions to protect themselves from mosquitos, which can potentially carry diseases such as West Nile Virus. To reduce the likelihood of being bitten by a disease-carrying mosquito, the Montgomery County Office of Pubic Health recommends that residents take the following steps to reduce their exposure to mosquitos: 

• Check and repair windows and screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home. 
• Survey your property and eliminate standing water, dispose of containers that can collect standing water such as old tires, cans, bottles, buckets, and toys. 
• After it rains, empty plant containers, bird baths, flowerpots, kiddie pools, and pool covers to keep water from collecting in these items. 
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly and rooftops are free of standing water. 
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers. 
• Drill several holes in the bottom of recycling buckets so water can drain from them. Cover trash containers so rain cannot accumulate in them. 
• Since clothing can help reduce mosquito bites, wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
• Use an approved mosquito repellant when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are active. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Follow the label directions carefully. Do NOT apply repellent to the face.

For more information about mosquito surveillance and control, visit the Montgomery County Office of Public Health's website.