Sep. 3-There's a low risk for contracting West Nile Virus in Humboldt County, but the county Division of Environmental Health still recommends residents do their part to prevent the overpopulation of mosquitoes and prevent mosquito bites.
On Friday, the county Division of Environmental Health issued a news release stating it had been fielding an increasing number of questions about mosquitos and how best to avoid them in and around Humboldt Bay and other coastal areas. Some species of mosquitoes harbor and spread West Nile Virus, of which four cases have been reported since 2003, and other diseases.
"According to the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), one of the best ways to avoid mosquito bites is to stay inside at dawn and dusk when insects are most active," the division's Friday press release stated. "People who are going to be outside during those times are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks."
The release shared the following tips from the CDC:
Remove standing water where mosquitoes breed
* Mosquitoes lay eggs near and on the surface of water and health officials recommend taking time each week to empty and scrub, turn over or cover or dispose of items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers or trash containers
* Tightly cover water storage containers (buckets, water tanks and rain barrels) so mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs
* For containers without lids, use wire mesh/screens with holes smaller than an adult mosquito
* Fill tree holes to prevent them from filling with water
* If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes with wire mesh/screens with holes smaller than an adult mosquito
* Mosquito fish can be used in ornamental ponds, watering troughs and abandoned pools.
Mosquito prevention in the home
* Ensure doors, windows, vents and other penetrations are properly screened
* Do not leave doors propped open
* Visually inspect for mosquitoes before bed. Check ceilings, closets, windows and curtains where mosquitoes tend to hide.
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