Hernando County: National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – The Hernando County Mosquito Control Department (HCMC) reminds residents that June 20 – 26, 2021 is National Mosquito Control Awareness Week.

To help educate and prepare the public for mosquito season, HCMC has outlined the following tips from the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) to help residents avoid bites from these vicious bloodsuckers.

Standing water, bare skin and dark clothing are three things that attract mosquitoes. AMCA recommends people follow the three Ds to keep mosquitoes away:

• Drain: Empty out 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, IR 3535 or oil of lemon-eucalyptus

Reduce sites on your property where mosquitoes may develop by eliminating containers that may hold water, such as disposing of any tires. Water in tires can allow thousands of mosquitoes. Additional ways to eliminate standing water on your property are to:

• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers
• Clear roof gutters of debris
• Clean pet water dishes regularly
• Check and empty children’s toys
• Change the water in bird baths at least once a week

“Encouraging your neighbors to also eliminate sources on their own property is critical to a community-wide mosquito control program,” says AMCA Technical Advisor David Brown. “Mosquitoes require stagnant water to complete their life cycle. If their water source is eliminated, so are their offspring.”

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. Their bites can spread diseases such as Zika and West Nile Virus.

“While we are getting vaccinated against Covid-19, it is important to realize that there are NO vaccines for the diseases mosquitoes may carry in the United States,” said Brown. “We must be prepared to prevent mosquitoes from developing and protect ourselves when they are around through sustained safe and effective mosquito control measures and through the use of protective personal repellents.”

AMCA stresses mosquito-borne diseases do not only affect humans – they also kill countless birds, reptiles, dogs, horses and endangered species each year.

Awareness of these diseases – including canine heartworm, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Western Equine Encephalitis – is another important component of mosquito control the general public must embrace.

Additionally, HCMC will be at local Hernando County Lowe’s locations for the schedule listed below providing education on their department as well as tips on how to fight the bite!

Lowe’s Spring Hill Garden Center – 4780 Commercial Way in Spring Hill 6/22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lowe’s Brooksville Garden Center – 7117 Broad Street in Brooksville 6/23 and 6/24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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