6 Ways To Prevent Mosquito Bites

August 20 is World Mosquito Day. The mosquito is the deadliest animal in the world. Mosquitoes are estimated to cause up to one million human deaths annually. A mosquito gets infected with a virus or parasite when it bites a person or animal that is infected. The infected mosquito can spread germs to other people or animals through bites. These diseases include dengue fever, malaria, and the West Nile and Zika viruses. Malaria alone accounts for over half a million fatal infections annually.

PARASITES

•  Dirofilariasis (Dog Heartworm)
•  Lymphatic Filariasis
•  Malaria

VIRUSES

•  Cache Valley
•  Chikungunya Virus
•  Dengue Virus
•  Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus
•  Jamestown Canyon
•  Japanese Encephalitis Virus
•  La Crosse Encephalitis
•  Ross River Virus Disease
•  Rift Valley Fever
•  St. Louis Encephalitis
•  West Nile Virus
•  Yellow Fever
•  Zika Virus

1. Repellent: Use a Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone.

•  Always follow product label instructions.
•  Reapply insect repellent as directed.
•  Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
•  If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
•  The effectiveness of non - EPA registered insect repellents, including some natural repellents, is not known.

Additionally, use an outdoor insect spray in dark humid areas where mosquitoes rest, such as under patio furniture, in the carpet or garage. Always follow label instructions for repellents and insecticides. 

2. Protective Clothing: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to protect your bare skin. Treat clothing and gear with permethrin, a synthetic insect repellent, or purchase clothes already treated with the chemical. Never apply permethrin to your skin. Always follow label instructions for repellents and insecticides. 

3. Keep Mosquitoes Outside: Keep windows and doors shut and use air conditioning if possible. If you have your windows open, use, install, or repair window and door screens. If you are somewhere without screens or air conditioning, or if you are sleeping outdoors, sleep under a mosquito net.

4. Remove Tall Grasses: Pull weeds near foundations and keep your lawn mowed to a low height to reduce possible mosquito habitats. 

5. Remove Standing Water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so drain any standing water on your property. The CDC recommends once a week to drain any kind of container which can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Empty bird baths, garbage cans, buckets, flowerpots, play equipment and anything else that collects water. Clean out gutters and downspouts to make sure water doesn't pool and create a welcoming mosquito nursery. Helpful tip: Spray your garbage cans regularly with insecticide and keep the lids on.

6. Stay Indoors During Peak Hours: Mosquitoes are most active from dusk till dawn. It should be noted that mosquitoes can be active during the day. This is another reason why suggestions one through five are vital to help prevent mosquito bites.

 Mosquitoes spread germs through bites.  Not everyone infected with a mosquito-borne germ gets sick. Get tested if you think you have a mosquito-bourne disease. Knowing whether or not you are infected with a mosquito-bourne disease is a step toward infection prevention. Sivad Diagnostic Medical Group offers a variety of diagnostic tools for mosquito related diseases including:

•  Malaria Test Kits
•  Zika Virus Testing Kits
•  Dengue Testing 

Sivad Group, LLC ships domestically and internationally. Please contact us for additional medical testing kits, diagnostic tools, or PPE that you may need. 

For more information contact:

Sivad Group, LLC

info@sivadppe.com

(888) 397-6137

SOURCES:

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/outdoor/mosquito-borne/default.html

https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/what-is-a-mosquito.html

https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/mosquito-bites/prevent-mosquito-bites.html

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-best-protect-mosquito-bites