SAN ANTONIO – With recent heavy rains in and around the San Antonio area, Metro Health officials are asking residents to help prevent mosquitoes by following preventive breeding measures.
According to Metro Health, residents can actively curb the number of mosquitoes they see in the spaces around them by helping to prevent them from breeding.
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The following is a list of tips to help residents limit mosquitoes and prevent mosquito bites:
Remove standing water
Keep mosquitoes from laying eggs inside and outside of your home. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out containers that hold water, such as
- Vases
- Pet water bowls
- Flowerpot saucers
- Discarded tires
- Buckets
- Pool covers
- Birdbaths
- Trash cans
- Rain barrels
- Tires
Follow safe water storage tips
If water must be stored, tightly cover storage containers to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside and laying eggs.
Improve sanitation
When water is contaminated with organic matter (for example, animal waste, grasses, and leaves), the chances that mosquito larvae will survive may increase because contaminated matter provides food for larvae to eat.
Protect Yourself
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks to protect exposed skin during dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are active.
- Avoid the use of perfumes and colognes when working outdoors.
- Use air conditioning or make sure there are screens on all doors and windows to keep mosquitoes from entering the home.
- Use an insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin on skin not covered by clothing.
- Choose a repellent that provides protection for the time that you will be exposed. The more DEET or Picaridin a repellent contains, the longer time it can protect you.
- Spray insect repellent on the outside of your clothing (mosquitoes can bite through thin clothing).
- Do not spray insect repellent on skin that is under clothing.
- Insect repellents should not be used on young infants.
- Do not spray aerosol or pump products in enclosed areas or directly on your face. Do not allow insect repellent to contact your eyes or mouth. Do not use repellents on cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
- If working outdoors, use soap and water to wash skin and clothing that has been treated with insect repellent.