Hi again Stoneybrooke residents, I recently received a letter from the Fairfax County Health Department regarding mosquitoes and the associated “emerging disease threat called Zika, a virus that has been spreading … and is linked to severe birth defects in children born to infected mothers.” This is of concern to our local community and there are steps you can take to limit your risk — please comment with any suggestions you may have with helping our community control the mosquito population.
The first step to limiting risk is obtaining information and knowledge. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is common to our local area and has been identified as a possible vector for the Zika virus. Mosquito season runs through the fall until the first hard frost of the year, so we have several more months of risk.
Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which is common to our area, is a potential Zika virus disease vector
There are some Fairfax County Health Department recommended steps to both control mosquitoes in your yard and protect yourself and family from mosquito bites. Each of us can do something small to help be part of the larger solution and hopefully limit the spread of this virus.
Control mosquitoes in your yard:
- Eliminate standing water. The most effective way to control the Asian tiger mosquito is to tip and toss standing water from artificial containers like tires, buckets, flower pots, corrugated drain pips, tarps, toys, etc. Discard containers or place indoors.
- Treat Standing water with a larvicide if it cannot be eliminated. If you cannot get rid of the water, treat it with a mosquito-specific, environmentally-friendly product such as Mosquito Drunks, which are available at hardware stores and garden centers.
- If mosquitoes are biting, consider treating your yard with an insecticide. Used carefully and according to the label instructions, an insecticide can help control biting mosquitoes. Pay attention to bushy green plants, ivy, other ground-covering plants and bamboo, which are hiding places for mosquitoes.
- Organize a neighborhood clean-up. Get rid of litter and debris, discard old tires, and manage vegetation that mosquitoes may be using as hiding places
Protect yourself and family from mosquito bites:
- Wear an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535. Insect repellent is safe and effective for children and pregnant women, too. Always apply according to label instructions. If using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and then repellent.
- Dress to protect. Cover exposed skin by wearing loose-fitting, light-colored long-sleeved shirts and pants. For extra protection, treat clothing with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated clothing and gear. Never apply permethrin on skin and always follow label instructions.
- Keep mosquitoes out of your home. Keep doors and windows closed. Make sure screens are in good repair. Use air-conditioning when available.
Various outreach materials are available here: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/westnile/zika-virus.htm