We all want the rain to go away.
However, the puddles left behind are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Experts say it's not uncommon for a long stretch of rain to cause mosquito populations to triple. So experts say, now is the time to make your yard the last place they want to be.
But how do you do that? The Department of Health issued to following tips on how to stay mosquito bite free:
- Use EPA-registered repellents when going outdoors according to label instructions
- Wear light-colored clothing, long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors
- Consider avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito biting hours
- Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with an EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection
- Treat clothing and gear such as pants, boots, socks, and tents with a product containing permethrin, or buy permethrin-treated clothing or gear. Do not apply permethrin directly to skin
- Mosquito-proof your home:
- Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside
- Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water on a regular basis from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires, and bird baths
The most common diseases spread by mosquitoes in Ohio are West Nile virus and LaCrosse virus, according to the Department of Health. In 2018, there were 30 La Crosse virus cases and 65 West Nile virus cases including six deaths.