people empty out any planters, old tires, bird baths, old toys, or other receptacles that may be holding water.
Dr. Schaffner advises residents to look up: “Check out your rain gutters. If they don’t have a good pitch and actually drain, they can pool water and mosquitoes can breed there.”
In areas where infected mosquitoes have been detected, public health officials advise residents to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, as well as use mosquito repellent with the active ingredient DEET. Rich recommends the insecticide permethrin because, he says, it kills mosquitoes whereas DEET simply repels them.
People may also want to avoid going out at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes tend to be more active.
Last year, several communities that detected infected mosquitoes launched large-scale pesticide spraying efforts.
“These pesticides have pretty good safety profiles, and they’re usually sprayed in off-hours when people are less likely to be outside,” says Rich.
Other Mosquito Bites
For a general mosquito bite; it may be tough advice, but leave the bite alone. When you scratch, it creates openings in your skin that let bacteria in and cause infection.
To relieve the itch and lower your chances of an infection:
Wash the area with soap and water.
Apply calamine lotion or anti-itch cream.
Put an ice pack on the bite.
Take an over-the-counter antihistamine.
Raise the area of the bite to reduce and prevent swelling.
If a bite causes fever, vomiting, or shortness of breath, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately.