BARTOW, Fla – The Florida Department of Health in Polk County (DOH-Polk) is urging all residents and visitors to protect against mosquito bites as the weather gets hotter and wetter.
Preventing bites reduces the risk of getting infected with a mosquito-borne disease known as an arbovirus.
Fight the Bite by taking simple steps to mitigate the spread of disease by mosquitoes.
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Preventative measures such as Drain and Cover can significantly impact your home environment and prevent mosquitoes from laying and hatching eggs. Reducing the population of mosquitoes helps decrease your likelihood of being bit.
Mosquito Bite Prevention
Using the right insect repellent and other preventive actions can discourage mosquitoes from biting you. Follow these Drain and Cover tips to help prevent mosquito bites.
DRAIN water from outside areas to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed.
- Drain water from garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.
- Discard old tires, bottles, pots, broken appliances and other items not being used.
- Empty and clean birdbaths and any pet water bowls at least twice a week.
- Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that do not accumulate water.
- Maintain swimming pools in good condition and keep chlorinated. Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.
COVER with protective clothing while outdoors and keep doors and windows closed to prevent mosquitoes from going indoors.
- Wear shoes, socks, long pants and long sleeves while outside when and where mosquitoes are most prevalent to discourage mosquitoes from biting.
- Check and repair screens on doors and windows. Keep them closed and use air conditioning when possible.
- Make sure window screens are in good repair to reduce the chance of mosquitoes indoors.
- Use repellent on bare skin; DEET at 10% to 30% concentration works well for most people when used according to label directions. Do not apply to infants.
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