Tips For Keeping Mosquitoes Under Control

Annoying, persistent and, on rare occasions, dangerous, mosquitoes are a fact of life in backyards, poolside, and on beaches and trails.

The Suffolk County Health Department announced on Friday that 25 mosquito samples and five birds in the county had tested positive so far this year for West Nile virus, which can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. No humans or horses have tested positive for West Nile virus in Suffolk County this year.

“While there is no cause for alarm, we urge residents to cooperate with us in our efforts to reduce the exposure to the virus, which can be debilitating to humans,” Suffolk County Health Services Commissioner James L. Tomarken said in a press release.

The Health Department recommends that homeowners take steps to eliminate stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed:

• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar containers, as well as old tires.

• Make sure roof gutters drain properly, and clean clogged gutters.

• Turn wading pools and wheelbarrows upside down when they’re not being used.

• Regularly change birdbath water.

• Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds, and keep shrubs and grass well trimmed.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs.

• Drain water from pool covers.

Brian Kelly of East End Tick and Mosquito Control also recommends drilling holes in the bottom of garbage and recycling containers that are stored outdoors, aerating ornamental ponds, and looking around the yard after a rain to find landscape areas that aren’t draining well. He adds garbage can lids to the list of things to dump out or overturn, and advises not leaving water in pet bowls for more than two days.

To avoid being bitten, the Health Department recommends the following:

• Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.

• Wear shoes and socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active.

• Use mosquito repellent when outdoors, carefully following the directions on the label.

• Make sure all windows and doors have screens in good repair.

Dead birds may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in an area. To report dead birds, call the West Nile virus hotline in Suffolk County at (631) 787-2200, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Residents are encouraged to photograph dead birds.

According to Dr. Tomarken, most people infected with West Nile virus experience mild or no symptoms, but some develop severe ones, including high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. The symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. People 50 and older or with compromised immune systems are most at risk and should avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

For medical questions related to West Nile virus, call (631) 854-0333. Further information can also be found at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/health.