Cayuga County Health Dept: Fight the Bite

With people heading outside to enjoy the summer, the Cayuga County Health Department is once again reminding you to fight the bite.

The department says you can stop the spread of mosquitoes which can carry the West Nile Virus or EEE by denying them places to lay their eggs. Since mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, cleaning clogged rain gutters, turning over wheelbarrows, and recycling tires can reduce their populations.

The health department offers the following tips to step mosquitoes from reproducing:

• Clean clogged rain gutters
• Turn over wheelbarrows and wading pools when not in use
• Change water in bird baths every four days
• Properly maintain swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; drain water from pool covers
• Use landscaping to eliminate low spots where standing water accumulates
• Throw away outdoor containers, ceramic pots, or containers that hold water
• Remove all tires from your property
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors

If you’re going outside, the department offers the following advice to avoid getting bit:

• Wear closed toe shoes, socks, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts
• Consider using a mosquito repellent containing 20-30% DEET or Picaridin. Follow the label directions. Wash your treated skin with soap and water after returning indoors.
• Make sure there are screens in your windows and doors are free of tears, rips, and holes