Mosquito season is here and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health is launching this year’s West Nile virus program.
The mild winter and early warm weather have created conditions that allow mosquitoes to thrive and these mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus. Public Health is working to lower the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses.
“Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water and even a small amount of water can act as a breeding ground,” said Shawn Zentner, manager of health protection. “We will be treating catch basins, roadside ditches and storm-water retention ponds with larvicide over the summer months. Larvicide works by stopping mosquito growth at the larval life stage.”
People can eliminate mosquito breeding sites on their property by draining standing water from pool covers, garbage cans, recycling bins, saucers under flower pots and old tires.
Be sure to cover rain barrels with screens and change the water in wading pools and bird baths at least twice a week. Homeowners with a catch basin in their backyard wanting to reduce the mosquito population, can contact WDG Public Health for free larvicide treatments. It is also important for adults and children to protect themselves from mosquito bites. The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to:
– drain standing water around the house
– use an insect repellent with DEET; and
– cover up with long-sleeved shirt and long pants.
Crows, ravens and blue jays are no longer used as an early warning system and health units in Ontario no longer collect dead birds. However, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) will still accept dead crows, blue jays and ravens for testing.
For more information about West Nile virus, or to request for a free larvicide treatment go to www.wdgpublichealth.ca or call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 2673.
