Mosquito bites can be annoying, itchy, painful, and even cause disease. The most common mosquito-borne diseases in Florida are St. Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis, and Dengue fever. Dengue fever has been found in Pinellas County recently, and it can be a very serious illness for some. To avoid bites and the potential illness from mosquitos it is important to protect yourself.
Avoid Bites
To avoid getting bitten, avoid infested areas, use mosquito repellent, wear light-colored, loose-fitting protective clothing, and limit time outdoors at dawn and dusk during highest mosquito activity periods.
Eliminate Breeding Sites
Eliminate mosquito breeding sites to reduce the number of mosquitoes. Search out any area that holds water (a half-cup of water can breed enough mosquitoes to cause a problem) and get rid of the water or change it frequently. See this site for more mosquito breeding locations and solutions: https://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu/general-information/tracking-down-mosquito-problems/
- clean debris from rain gutters
- dump water in containers around your home: garbage cans, lids, toys, plant saucers, tarps over boats and equipment, rain barrels, tires, etc.
- get rid of water on and around structures like flat roofs and air-conditioning units
- change water in birdbaths and wading pools weekly
- change water in pet bowls daily
- stock ornamental ponds with Gambusia fish
- encourage other insects like dragonflies and aquatic beetles that feed on mosquitoes
Keep Mosquitoes Outdoors
Keeping mosquitoes from entering your home lessens the chance of bites. Screening keeps mosquitoes from getting indoors. Install screens with 16-18 mesh and repair broken or torn screens to help keep mosquitoes out. Keep unscreened doors closed. Caulk cracks and crevices to keep bugs out. Fans directed at entrances can also reduce the mosquitos that might follow you inside.
Repellants
Mosquito repellents work by confusing the mosquitoes. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends only five repellents: DEET (diethyl toluamide); Picaridin; IR3535, Para-menthane-diol (PMD), 2-undecanone, and Oil of Lemon-Eucalyptus (do NOT use on children under 3 years). There is no scientific evidence that sound-emitting devices or that eating garlic, vitamins, onions, or any other food will repel mosquitoes.
Before applying any repellent, read the label and do NOT over apply. Make sure the label lists the insect that you need to repel. Use the lowest concentration that works for you. Apply only to exposed body parts. Products with 10% to 25% DEET will provide adequate protection under most conditions. OFF! Deep Woods with 23.8% DEET provides an average protection time of 5 hours while Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil provides only 10 minutes protection time.
Conditions that may decrease the effectiveness of a repellent include activities that cause perspiration, high humidity, high temperature, rainfall and swimming. Click here for more info about mosquito repellants.
Relief
To relieve the itch and redness of mosquito bites a topical corticosteroid can be used. Oral antihistamines can also be effective in reducing the symptoms of mosquito bites. More information can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/about-mosquito-bites.html
Remember to protect yourself from mosquito-borne disease by preventing bites and practice mosquito control by getting rid of their breeding sites. For more information and updates, visit Pinellas County Mosquito Control.
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