City shares tips for managing mosquitoes
Community should take steps to eliminate the breeding places for mosquitoes
– Spring is here, with warmer weather, and with the recent storm events and potential for standing water, mosquitoes have also arrived.
It is important for everyone to take steps to help eliminate the breeding places for mosquitos in and around all residences and workplaces and to reduce mosquito-borne health risks, according to the City of Atascadero. The city shared some helpful tips to reduce these hazards including:
- Eliminate locations for mosquitoes to lay their eggs by removing standing water sources from around your property. Routinely remove standing water from items such as decorative ponds, bird baths, fountains, flower pots, pet bowls, animal troughs, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets, barrels, cans, etc. Even small containers with standing water can provide a breeding habitat for mosquitoes.
- Use mosquito dunks and other pest control/abatement products which can be purchased at most local nursery and hardware supply stores.
- To avoid being bitten, consider staying indoors between dusk and dawn, which is peak mosquito biting time. Avoid activities and places where mosquitoes are plentiful.
- Apply insect repellent containing the active ingredient Deet when you’re outdoors.
- Wear long-sleeved clothes, pants, and socks. Clothing can also be treated with repellants containing Deet.
- Take steps to ensure that all windows and doors have screens; do not leave doors open for extended periods of time.
The County of San Luis Obispo provides more information on the Environmental Health section of its website to assist residents in learning how to manage these types of issues. For additional guidance and resources, residents should visit http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Health-Agency/Public-Health/Environmental-Health/All-Environmental-Health-Services/Pests.aspx
For any questions regarding this information, contact the Public Works Department at (805) 470-3456.
