Mosquito-borne diseases

The diseases that are spread by the bite of an infected mosquito are called mosquito-borne diseases. These diseases include West Nile, Zika, dengue, Chikungunya, and malaria. Severe cases of mosquito-borne diseases may cause death. The risk of mosquito bites varies depending on where you are, the type of habitat you live in or work in, season and time of the day. In Arizona, mosquitoes are responsible for spreading rocky mountain spotted fever, St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, yellow fever, zika virus etc.,  Ffor details check: https://www.maricopa.gov/1608/Mosquito-Related-Diseases  

Mosquito bites can be reduced and/or prevented by,:

• Ensure that windows and doors have screen to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes.
• Wear clothing that covers arms, hands, legs.
• Minimize the skin exposure.
• Consider wearing hats with mosquito netting to protect your face and neck.
• Find and use the right insect repellent by using the EPA search tool at http://bit.ly/3K8FyJr 

 Mosquitoes lay eggs in or near standing water. The numbers of mosquitoes can be reduced by,

• Filling the areas that collect standing water.
• Removing barrels, tires, bottles, and buckets that collect water.
• Placing drain holes in containers that collect water and may not be discarded. 
• Remove, cover, turn over or store equipment in a way to prevent standing water collection.
• Prepare your yard to prevent mosquito breeding by,: 
  • Get the gutters cleaned out.
  • Maintain trees and shrubs.
  • Clean up yard debris.
  • Eliminate standing water.
  • Grow mosquito-repelling plants like lavender, marigold, scented geranium, basil, rosemary, catmint, lemon grass, mint, sage etc. 
  • Fill tree holes that hold water. Detail at: http://bit.ly/40YZJAj 
• To treat large water bodies (that will not be used for drinking) with larvicide, details at: http://bit.ly/3U9TqaN  
• To kill adult mosquitoes outside your home, use outdoor adulticide, details at: http://bit.ly/40Ohzqc . Always follow label instructions when using insecticides. 
• Keep mosquitoes out of your septic tanks. For details check http://bit.ly/3nHiolL