West Nile mosquito. Photo source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
With a mosquito pool carrying the West Nile virus found recently in New Windsor, the Orange County Department of Health is encouraging residents to not only protect themselves from West Nile, but to eliminate any standing water from their property in an effort to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
Protection
• Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.
• Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when you are outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are most active.
• Consider using mosquito repellent when it is necessary to be outdoors, particularly during evening activities.
Reduce potential mosquito breeding grounds
• Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.
• Make sure that your roof gutters drain properly and clean clogged gutters in the spring and fall.
• Turn over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Change the water in birdbaths twice a week.
• Remove all discarded tires from your property.
• Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds.
• Drain water from pool covers and remove leaves and debris.
• Use landscaping to eliminate standing water that collects on your property.
For more information, call the Orange County Department of Health at 845-291-2332.
Editor’s Note: This information was provided by the Orange County Department of Health.