Did you know Florida is in the thick of mosquito season right now? The season runs from March to October, but it’s understandable if you thought our mosquito season runs all year. After all, the mosquito might as well be our state bird.
If you think the worst part of mosquitos is their irritating flight patterns or the itchy souvenirs they leave behind, think again. According to the Florida Department of Health, mosquitoes can carry diseases, including West Nile Virus, dengue, malaria, yellow fever, Zika, and eastern equine encephalitis. In fact, the CDC has dubbed the mosquito as the world’s deadliest animal because the diseases they spread kill more people than any creature in the world.
So how can you protect yourself?
- Say no to standing water: DOH-Polk says one of the simplest ways to reduce the number of mosquitoes is to limit their access to standing water, which is where they breed. This means making sure your gutters are clean and that any spare pails or kiddie pools in the yard are turned upside down so they don’t become breeding grounds.
- Use insect repellant: The University of Florida Emerging Pathogens Institute says repellants such as DEET and picaridin are both effective and long-lasting. (DEET also protects against ticks, gnats, and no-see-ums, so that’s an added bonus.) Shorter-acting natural repellants like citronella and lemongrass also work, albeit not for very long.
- Treat your clothing: Treat your clothes with pyrethroids to ward off mosquitoes. (DO NOT spray pyrethroids directly on your skin.)
- Cover your skin: Wear long sleeves and tuck your pants into your socks.
- Avoid peak times: Mosquitoes are most active in the early morning and evening hours, particularly dawn and dusk. Avoid outdoor activities during those times, as that’s when they are most aggressive.
The Florida Department of Health-Polk is a great resource for more information. Remember to protect yourself as you get outdoors and enjoy the end of summer! Thank you for reading Central Florida Health News.