RI Health Department Urges 'Smart Scheduling' To Avoid Mosquitoes

As students return to school and fall sports ramp up, the Rhode Island Department of Health is encouraging "smart scheduling" of activities to minimize the risk of dangerous mosquito-carried illnesses. So far this year, there have been two findings of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, found in a pair of mosquitoes trapped in Central Falls. No cases of West Nile Virus have been found at this time.

To keep students safe, teachers and sports coaches are encouraged to avoid scheduling any outdoor activities in the early morning or dusk hours, when mosquitoes are most active.

According to the department, this summer has been riskier than others for mosquito-borne diseases in New England. Both EEE and West Nile have been found in mosquitoes across Massachusetts, leading to four cases of EEE and one death. Infected mosquitoes were also found in Eastern Connecticut.

The department recommends smart scheduling be employed until the end of the mosquito season, which comes after the first hard frost. Usually, this happens in the middle of October.

To prevent mosquito bites and breeding, the department encourages all Rhode Islanders to take preventative steps.

• Put screens on windows and doors. Fix screens that are loose or have holes.
• If you must be outside during peak mosquito hours, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and use bug spray.
• Use EPA-approved bug spray with one of the following active ingredients: DEET (20-30 percent strength); picaridin, IR3535; and oil of lemon eucalyptus orparamenthane. Always read the label and follow all directions and precautions.
• Do not use bug spray with DEET on infants under two months of age. Children should be careful not to rub their eyes after bug spray has been applied on their skin. Wash children’s hands with soap and water to remove any bug spray when they return indoors.
• Put mosquito netting over playpens and baby carriages.

To prevent mosquito breeding, remove any standing water i your house or yard. As little as one cup of water can produce hundreds. Drain unused swimming pools, boats, planters, trash cans, baby pools, bins, tires and clean out gutters and drain spouts. Change out water in bird baths every few days and rinse them out once a week. Treat any standing water that cannot be removed with larvicide treatments, which are available in most hardware stores.