How to Prevent Mosquitoes and Mosquito Bites

The female mosquito is not only a vector for malaria but also dengue fever and other forms of febrile fever. Mosquitoes and mosquito bites can be prevented. Read o to learn how:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Destroy Breeding Sites
   Get rid of the mosquito breeding sites, which are typically items or areas in which rain and water run off can collect and stagnate. These include discarded food containers, old tires, holes in trees and other similar areas. Regularly change water in your bird bath and outdoor animal containers.

2. Insecticides
   Apply appropriate mosquito insecticides in larval habitats and potential breeding grounds. Insect-eating fish or crustaceans can be used to help control mosquito populations.

3. Mosquito Repellent
   Apply mosquito repellent to exposed skin when walking outdoors in mosquitoe-prone areas. Wear long pants, tucked into socks or boots, as well as long sleeves.

4. Screens
   Install window screens as well as door screens to keep mosquitoes from getting indoors. Air conditioning will also keep mosquitoes at bay.
   Use mosquito nets or bed nets if you must sleep in an area that is exposed to the mosquitoes.

5. Larval Control
   Pour a small amount of oil into standing water to kill the larvae and eggs by strangling their oxygen supply.

6. Quarantine
   Restrict the movement of infected individuals to prevent them from traveling and transmitting the disease to a different un-infected region.

[mommyhen42]

on 5/11/2009 thank you for the tips on preventing mosquitos. Here in California they have become a vector source of West Nile Fever so anything that can be done to prevent them helps prevent our animals and ourselves from contracting this disease