Taking the Bite Out of Summer

Tips to Help Prevent and Avoid Mosquitoes in Your Backyard

Mosquitoes not only can bite, but they can also spread viruses such as West Nile Virus. Dr. Jordan Siegel, who serves as technical services veterinarian for Schaumburg, Illinois-based Zodiac, a division of Wellmark International, offers the following tips to help prevent or avoid mosquito bites in your backyard:

Prevention Tips:

• Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Either eliminate or treat any stagnant bodies of water in receptacles or containers in your yard.
  
  
• Stagnant water can be treated with Zodiac's Preventative Mosquito Control product. These granules can be easily spread in water gardens, ornamental fountains, roof gutters, bird baths, old tires, flower pots, tree holes, urns, rain barrels, pool covers, abandoned swimming pools, or any other water-holding receptacle. This product prevents developing mosquitoes from ever reaching the breeding, biting adult stage.
  
  
• Remove litter from your yard. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in small, discarded items that can hold water such as cans, bottles, and wrappers.

Other tips:

• Stay indoors during dawn, dusk, and early evening when mosquitoes are more likely to bite.
  
  
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants for extra protection.
  
  
• Use a repellent on skin and clothing containing DEET. Apply repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Look for a repellent containing approximately 35 percent DEET.
  
  
• Protect your dog or cat with a product made especially for pets that repels mosquitoes.