Take precautions to avoid mosquito bites

The

City of Somerville Health Department issued a reminder today that with warmer

temperatures expected this week, residents are advised to continue to take

precautions against mosquitoes, which may carry diseases such as EEE or West

Nile Virus.

The

Massachusetts Department of Public Health released the following statement and

prevention tips last week: “Even as

cooler temperatures begin arriving in the state, the fact is that the threat of

mosquito-borne illness will continue until the first hard overnight frost,”

said DPH State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Catherine Brown. “In the

meantime, it’s vitally important that we continue taking common-sense

precautions against mosquito bites: use insect repellant, cover up, and avoid

outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their

most active.”

Avoid

Mosquito Bites

• Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide),
  
  permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3,
  
  8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product
  
  label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age
  
  and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil
  
  of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of
  
  age.

• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for
  
  many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur
  
  during evening or early morning

• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when
  
  outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof

Your Home

• Drain Standing Water.
  
  Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places
  
  around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding
  
  items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused
  
  flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

• Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting
  
  screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect

Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce

potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing

water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially

after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats

and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to

reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor

stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. If an animal is

diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to Department of

Agriculture (DAR), Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the

Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.