Williamson County Officials Offer Tips To Avoid Mosquitoes

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Health officials are observing National Mosquito Control Awareness Week through the end of the month, offering tips to residents to avoid getting stung.

Williamson County and Cities Health District and the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) have tips to help you declare independence from those pesky blood-suckers. Don’t cook up a breeding ground for mosquitoes, county officials said in a press advisory. Instead, follow the 3 Ds to keep mosquitoes away:

• Drain: Empty standing water containers at least once per week
• Dress: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
• Defend: Properly apply an EPA registered repellent such as DEET, picaridin, or IR 3535

Make your yard a mosquito-free zone by: dispose of any tires, which can breed thousands of mosquitoes; drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers; clear roof gutters of debris; clean pet water dishes regularly; check and empty children’s toys; repair leaky outdoor faucets; and change the water in bird baths and fountains at least once a week.

"Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance," county officials said. "Their bites can spread diseases such as Zika and West Nile Virus. Mosquito-borne diseases do not only affect humans – they also kill countless birds, reptiles, and animals each year. Awareness of these parasites –including canine heartworm, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Western Equine Encephalitis – is another important component of mosquito prevention."

For more information visit www.wcchd.org or texaszika.org .

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