Largely, mosquito bites are just a nuisance – they can, however, transmit disease like West Nile Virus. WNV is a mosquito-transmitted virus passed primarily between birds by mosquitoes. Humans and horses can become infected if bitten by an infected mosquito. Insect repellant should be applied to clothing and exposed skin in accordance with labeling directions, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants (weather permitting) outdoors, and limit outdoor activities during peak hours of dawn, dusk and during evening hours.
The trick is to avoid mosquito bites altogether, a task made easy by reading the following steps and tips.
- Reduce the amount of standing water. Mosquitoes will develop in any puddle that lasts more than 4 days.
- Dispose of plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water holding containers that have accumulated on your property.
- Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left out doors. Drainage holes that are located on the sides collect enough water for mosquitoes to breed in.
- Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis. Roof gutters can produce millions of mosquitoes each season.
- Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in a bird bath.
- Water gardens are pretty but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate.
If you would like to be notified of when the Essex County Mosquito Control will be spraying in your area, you can sign up to be notified. Please contact the Essex County Mosquito Control at 973 239 3366 x 2480 and they will contact you when spraying is occurring near your home. Further information about New Jersey pesticide regulations may be found at  the Essex County Web site.
Mosquito photo by Gamma Man via Flickr.
