Montgomery County Health Department Issues Mosquito Safety Guidelines

NORRISTOWN, PA -- You may have already noticed the signs: something buzzing about the streetlamps come nightfall, the bothersome twinge as something enters your eye while walking along the Schuylkill River Trail. What seem in April to be mild annoyances are really harbingers of a summer misery: mosquitoes.

The Montgomery County Health Department issued a public notice on Wednesday including advice for residents to stay safe from the wide variety of mosquito-borne diseases that exist in Pennsylvania, including West Nile and Zika.

Although cases of West Nile Virus in humans are rare, and death even rarer, there have been recent cases in the state.

By following a series of guidelines, residents can help to slow the spread of West Nile. One of the most basic and straightforward things which residents can do is remove standing water from their property whenever it gathers, the health department said.

The health department said that there are several species of mosquitoes in Montgomery County, and some of these species have different feeding habits and behaviors. The species Culex pipiens and Culex restuans is most responsible for West Nile, and is most active from dusk to dawn.

However, the species responsible for Zika, Aedes albopictus, is a "vigorous day time biter," officials said.

>>2016's First Human Case of West Nile Found in Pennsylvania

West Nile was first confirmed in Pennsylvania in 2000 when it was found in a horse, mosquitoes, and birds.There have been nearly 40,000 cases of West Nile in the United States since then, and 119 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control. There were no positive human tests for West Nile in the state in 2015, and only been one case was reported in 2015. However, many western states have had more positive tests.

The county has issued the following guidelines for residents ahead of the 2017 season:

• Check and repair windows and screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
• Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.

• Survey your property and dispose of containers that can collect standing water such as old tires, cans, bottles, buckets, and toys.

• After it rains, empty any plant containers, bird baths, flowerpots, kiddie pools, and pool covers to keep water from collecting in these items.

• Make sure roof gutters drain properly and rooftops are free of standing water.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers.
• Drill several holes in the bottom of recycling buckets so water can drain from them. Trash containers should be covered so no rain can accumulate in them.

• Use an approved mosquito repellant when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are active. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Follow the label directions carefully. Do NOT apply to the face.

• Never allow children to apply repellents. Parents should avoid applying repellents to the hands of children.
• Check with a physician before applying repellents to very young children (less than three years old).

• Avoid mosquito-breeding areas during peak periods of mosquito activity.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, making sure to cover feet and ankles.
• Discuss any concerns with your physician.

Image via Montgomery County