Prevent Mosquitos in Your Yard Now While You Are Staying Home: Tips From The American Mosquito Control Association
While much of America is practicing some kind of social distancing in response to Covid-19 by staying home, remember that there are other harmful viruses in our environment. You can take steps right now at your own home to reduce the chance of catching mosquito-borne diseases during the upcoming warmer months of the year.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 8, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- While much of America is practicing some kind of social distancing in response to Covid-19 by staying home, remember that there are other harmful viruses in our environment. You can take steps right now at your own home to reduce the chance of catching mosquito-borne diseases during the upcoming warmer months of the year.
The American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) is reminding everyone to eliminate standing water in neglected buckets, flowerpots, trash cans, and other containers that can develop mosquitoes which can carry West Nile virus, dengue, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Zika viruses. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC), coronavirus cannot be transmitted by mosquitoes.
That's why the AMCA recommends that while you are home, take the opportunity to check your yard and empty standing water sources to avoid making a place for mosquitoes to develop.
"With many Americans at home under stay-at-home orders, it is a good time to do some yard maintenance to prevent mosquitoes developing on your property," says AMCA President Ary Faraji. "Not only do you get a chance to get out of the house, but by draining backyard water sources you make your yard safer in the coming months by eliminating mosquito development sites."
Mosquitoes can develop in as little as a cap full of water and can become adults in less than a week.
West Nile virus transmitted by the bite of just one infected mosquito can cause serious illnesses such as meningitis and encephalitis. In 2019, 47 states and the District of Columbia reported West Nile virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes. Overall, 917 cases of West Nile virus disease in people were reported to the CDC last year. In addition to West Nile virus, there were 34 cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and 20 locally acquired infections of Dengue.
Below is a brief video describing the benefits of mosquito control and abatement to individuals, their homes and neighborhoods:https://www.mosquito.org/page/mosquitocontrol
Contact: Dave Brown, AMCA Technical Advisor, at [email protected]
The American Mosquito Control Association, founded in 1935, is a scientific/educational, not-for-profit public service association with members or subscribers to its publications throughout the United States and in over 50 countries. Our mission is to provide leadership, information, and education leading to the enhancement of health and quality of life through the suppression of mosquitoes and other vector-transmitted diseases. For more information, visit http://www.mosquito.org.
SOURCE American Mosquito Control Association
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